Order of St John of Jerusalem of
Rhodes and of Malta
A silent and reverent tribute by the Order of Malta and the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art to the Pope who chose the name Leo XIV In the heart of the Aventine Hill, a majestic bronze lion by artist Davide Rivalta has been placed in the gardens of the Magistral Villa of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, creating a silent dialogue between art, nature, and spirituality.
The annual meeting of the Spouses of Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See took place at Casa Litta–Palazzo Orsini, headquarters of the Embassy.
On Sunday, May 18th, the liturgical ceremony that officially inaugurated the Pontificate of His Holiness Leo XIV took place in St. Peter’s Basilica. Before more than 150 delegations from around the world and approximately 250,000 faithful, the Holy Father received the pallium and the Fisherman’s Ring, marking the beginning of the Petrine ministry of the Bishop of Rome.
The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Holy See opened the doors of its headquarters at Casa Litta–Palazzo Orsini to a group of Malteser leaders from Germany, led by Baron Douglas von Saurma-Jeltsch.
On the morning of May 8th, the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Holy See hosted a group of Knights, Dames, and Volunteers from the Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta of Panama. Following their pilgrimage to Lourdes, the group continued their journey with a stop in Rome.
The CEO and Board Members of ArchCare, the continuing care community of the Archdiocese of New York whose mission is to provide support to the elderly and the sick, were hosted by the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, at the Embassy to the Holy See, located at Casa Litta–Palazzo Orsini.
The funeral of Pope Francis took place in St. Peter’s Square, attended by 250,000 people from around the world, including numerous Heads of State and Government. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who presided over the Mass in St. Peter’s Square, concluded with the words: “Pope Francis would often end his speeches and meetings by saying, ‘Do not forget to pray for me.’ Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters. With deep sadness I join His Eminence the Cardinal Camerlengo, who will be at the helm of the barque of St. Peter until the election of the new Pontiff, in announcing the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who the Lord has called to himself after long years of tireless service to the Church and to all humanity. His witness of faith, his dedication to the weakest, his unceasing appeal for mercy and peace have profoundly marked our era and will continue to illuminate the path of the Church.
A wonderful and unexpected meeting between a 95-year-old cloistered Sister and the Holy Father took place on Sunday, 6 April, in San Pietro. Francesca Battiloro, Sister of the Order of the Visitation of Santa Maria (the "Visitandine") who entered the convent at the age of 7 years thanks to a special dispensation and then take vows at 17, had expressed the desire to be able to cross the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, arriving on pilgrimage from Naples, the city where she lives, to Rome.