This morning the Grand Master Fra’ John T. Dunlap, accompanied by a delegation of the Sovereign Order of Malta, paid tribute to Pope Francis’ body in St. Peter’s Basilica.

After the visit, the Grand Master went to the Order of Malta’s First-Aid Post (PPS), which is located in the Charlemagne Wing, few steps away from the churchyard of St. Peter’s Basilica, to meet the volunteers and personally thank them for their precious service.

“Your unwavering dedication and selfless commitment are really precious. You are a living testimony of the Order of Malta’s mission to the sick and most vulnerable people,” Fra’ John Dunlap said during the meeting.

Since yesterday morning, over 60.000 people have visited the Basilica to pay their last respects to Pope Francis; the faithful will continue to pay tribute until tomorrow evening 7 p.m. The funerals will take place on Saturday, a day when Rome will be in the international spotlight with around 170 delegations coming from all over the world.

Active since over 75 years, the First-Aid Post is the heart of the Order of Malta’s healthcare activities in St. Peter’s Square: a medical facility open every day of the year, which, in collaboration with the Vatican health authorities, provides assistance during papal audiences on Wednesdays and during major religious celebrations. Durung the last days it has tripled the number of services provided each day.

For this historical moment, the Order of Malta has stepped up its commitment already planned for the Jubilee Year, with 2,000 volunteers from all over the world. There are currently 9 teams of volunteers working in shifts in the four basilicas, supported by regular Italian volunteers from the First-Aid Post in St. Peter’s. From 25 to 27 April, an additional first-aid station will be set up at the Pontifical Lateran University, available to the 600 young people staying there for the Jubilee for Adolescents.

The Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta (CISOM) and the Military Corps of the Order of Malta are also present in St. Peter’s Square and Via della Conciliazione, with teams of doctors, paramedics and volunteer first-aid workers ready to provide first-aid to anyone in need, 24 hours a day, until Sunday 27 April.