The Grand Master addresses the Diplomatic Corps to mark the new year
Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing received on 14th January at the Magistral Villa, in Rome, the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Sovereign Order of Malta for the audience of the beginning of the new year.
In his address the Grand Master emphasised the Order of Malta's commitment to medical-social action in the face of humanitarian crisis, with particular focus on the plight of refugees fleeing conflict in Syria, Central Africa and Mali, and those arriving on European shores, particularly the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Looking back at 2013 the Grand Master reflected on Pope Benedict's precious words of recognition and encouragement to the Order, given two days before his renunciation. The call of his successor, Pope Francis, to care for the most needy resonates deeply with the Order's mission to serve the poor and the sick.
Ambassadors accredited to the Sovereign Order of Malta
- Montenegro, H.E. Veselin Šuković (9.12.13)
- Honduras, H.E. Carlos Ãvila Molina (9.12.13)
- Brazil, H.E. Denis Fontes de Souza Pinto (9.12.13)