During Pullicino's six years abroad, Malta had been transformed by political turmoil. Hospitaller rule had ended in 1798 when the islands were invaded and occupied by the French. The Maltese later rebelled against French rule with British, Neapolitan and Portuguese assistance, and Malta became a British protectorate in September 1800. In that same month, Pullicino arrived in Malta from Rome and went to live with his mother in Valletta. He married Vincenza Attard in April 1807, with whom he had seven children.