The Sovereign Order of Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisation.
According to the Constitution, as the religious Superior and Sovereign, he must fully dedicate himself to the development of the works of the Order and to set an example of living by Christian principles, to all the members of the Order of Malta.
The Order of Malta is permanently present with medical, social and humanitarian projects in most countries in the world.
The Sovereign Order of Malta’s diplomatic relations facilitate its medical and humanitarian activities.
The birth of the Order of St. John dates back to around 1048. It was under the leadership of Blessed Fra’ Gerard, founder and first Master, that the religious community became a lay religious order.
On Monday 19 February 2007, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ Andrew Bertie received the Speaker of the Italian Senate Franco Marini.
An event of particular institutional significance, it reaffirmed the strong and ancient bonds between the Italian nation and the Order of Malta, which, from its headquarters in Rome, has been providing humanitarian aid to millions of people worldwide for over 170 years.
Today the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra' John Dunlap, received in the Magistral Palace in Rome the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, on an official visit to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The Order of Malta and its national Association, Order of Malta Lebanon, announced the launch of the 'Harvesting Hope, Growing Resilience' agro-humanitarian programme to ensure food security, promote economic recovery and support the country's most vulnerable population groups.
The Alliance of the Orders of Saint John meet on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April, hosted by the Sovereign Order of Malta in the Magistral Palace of Rome, for two days of prayer, reflections and initiatives.
