Excellencies,
Dear Confreres, Consœurs, and Volunteers,
Dear Pilgrims,

This year – the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five – marks the Order of Malta’s 67th international pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady Of Lourdes. I extend to each of you – whether you are a first-time or a many-time pilgrim – a warm welcome to this sacred corner of the earth, to this holy place where the Virgin displayed God’s love for His people, to this humble patch of land that has become a place of miracles and marvels.

We are here in Lourdes at a particularly propitious time, and there are three reasons why I say this.

First, almost two weeks ago, in the midst of this Jubilee Year, our Holy Father Francis was called to the house of the Lord. The sad passing of our beloved Pope occurred the day after the Resurrection of Christ — a moment laden with profound spiritual significance. Despite his frailty and illness, the Holy Father found the strength to witness the celebration of Chrit’s victory over death. For one last time, on Easter Sunday, the Pope, in a weak and tired voice, blessed his people, including me. I was so honoured to be present and to see him for one last time. He retired to his apartment and, in the early hours of Easter Monday, he passed into eternal life. His earthly journey completed, the faithful both mourned death and celebrated his life. We deeply feel the absence of his exhortations to love, to hope, to care, to forgive. At the same time, we are grateful that God sent us this teacher who urged us to never cease praying for the grace to forgive and to realise that forgiveness and justice cannot be separated. From personal experience, I can attest to the depth of his love to our beloved Order.

The second reason is that this year’s International Pilgrimage is dedicated to the theme of grace. While on pilgrimage, each of us is invited to rediscover the mercy and tenderness of God in a world so often marked by suffering and division. In this spirit, the passing of the Holy Father takes on a profound significance. His life and pontificate were a living testament to that very grace — a grace that embraces, heals, and opens paths of hope. His departure during this sacred year reminds us of the eternal dimension of grace and calls us to continue his legacy with renewed faith and unity. That legacy lives on in every volunteer who, whether joining us for the first time or returning once again, offers their time and strength throughout this Pilgrimage to care for the weakest and most vulnerable — many having travelled from all corners of the world to be here. In their presence and service, we witness a powerful and tangible expression of the Order’s steadfast commitment to charity and faith.

The third reason that I mark this year as so propitious is that this year, in Lourdes, nearly 7,400 of us have gathered — including the malades, members, and volunteers. This extraordinary number is a testament to your loyalty and devotion to our beloved Order. I am especially heartened by the growing number of young people — almost 500 this year, compared 450 last year. It is a vital and encouraging sign, as they are not only essential to our mission today, but also represent the future of the Order. The pilgrims gathered here today are the living heritage of our predecessors who, 67 years ago in 1958, first came together in this sacred place to pay homage to the Virgin Mary by accompanying those in need. Their faith and devotion laid the foundation for what has become a powerful legacy — one that continues to unite us in prayer, service, and fraternal love, year after year. In witness to this grace that continues to emanate from the Blessed Mother, a new miracle — the 72nd officially recognised — has recently been proclaimed.

Finally, we come here also with hearts full of prayer — in gratitude for the life and ministry of Pope Francis, in faithful remembrance of his devotion to the weakest and most vulnerable, and in hopeful intercession for the election of a new Pope. May he be guided by the Holy Spirit to lead the Church in peace, love, and grace, in continuity with the path of mercy and compassion traced by his predecessors.

Before concluding, I must express my deepest admiration and gratitude to our members and volunteers who, throughouht the world, tirelessly uphold our founding principles of Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum. Whether in Ukraine, the Holy Land, or countless other places afflicted by hardship and conflict, they stand as a beacon of hope — present wherever their service is most needed. And yet, even while engaged in these challenging missions, they have found the strength to join us here, bearing witness to the Order’s enduring charism through their dedication to the sick and the vulnerable.

May our Blessed Mother shower her graces and favor upon the work of our beloved Order,

May she fill our hearts with the love of her Son for the sick, weak, forgotten, and poor, and

May Our Lady bless our beloved Order of Malta and its ministries throughout the world.

I wish you a wonderful and blessed pilgrimage.

Thank you.

Photo Credits: Sovereign Order of Malta / Célian de La Rochefoucauld