The Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra\u2019 John T. Dunlap, was received this morning in audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace. The meeting was an important moment for sharing and taking stock of the Order\u2019s mission in the world, in a geopolitical framework of serious crises.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, the Grand Master presented the Order\u2019s main activities to the Pontiff, starting with major humanitarian interventions in theatres of conflict. Particular attention was paid to the Gaza Strip, where the Order of Malta\u2019s Grand Hospitaller, Josef D. Blotz, recently went together with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilus III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch, for the inauguration and blessing of a medical clinic in Gaza City. The facility, created from the partnership between the Order of Malta and the Latin Patriarchate and coordinated by Malteser International, will provide basic and life-saving medical care to the local population. This is part of the Order\u2019s humanitarian commitment, for which over 200 tonnes of basic necessities have already been distributed since the beginning of the conflict. The Grand Master brought as a gift to the Holy Father a drawing made by Ali, a little boy from Gaza City, given to the Grand Hospitaller during his recent visit to the Strip on June 22.<\/p>\n
Also discussed was the crisis in Lebanon, where the Order of Malta assists the population in 88 reception centres and continues to send convoys to isolated villages in the south, and the dramatic situation in Ukraine, with active assistance in 70 locations along with psychosocial and rehabilitation support for minors and veterans. The meeting also addressed the dramatic situation unfolding in Venezuela, where the Order has already mobilized to provide assistance to the population affected by yesterday\u2019s devastating earthquake.<\/p>\n
During the audience, ample space was left for the important process of implementing institutional reform and the Order\u2019s profound path of spiritual renewal. The Holy Father was informed, in terms of religious life, of the imminent inauguration of the Novitiate in Rome, a fundamental stage for the formation and spiritual growth of future Professed.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the meeting, Fra\u2019 Grand Master John T. Dunlap said: \u201cIn an era of increasing global fragmentation and weakening of traditional multilateralism, the Order of Malta\u2019s humanitarian diplomacy is confirmed as a vital instrument for dialogue and peace. The audience with Pope Leo XIV renews our deep bond with the Apostolic See and comforts us when continuing, guided by a true \u2018spirituality of service\u2019, the work of Christian support and witness wherever there is suffering\u201d.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of the private audience, Pope Leo XIV received the Order of Malta\u2019s Sovereign Council and the Order\u2019s Ambassador to the Holy See, Antonio Zanardi Landi. Following this, the Order\u2019s delegation \u2013 composed of the Grand Master, the Grand Commander Fra\u2019 Emmanuel Rousseau, the Grand Chancellor Riccardo Patern\u00f2 di Montecupo, the Grand Hospitaller Josef D. Blotz, the Receiver of the Common Treasure Fra\u2019 Francis Vassallo and the Ambassador himself \u2013 met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.<\/p>\n
Copyright Photos: \u00a9 Vatican Media<\/em><\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_excerpt":"The Grand Master of the Order of Malta was received this morning in audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace. The meeting was an important moment for sharing and taking stock of the Order\u2019s mission in the world, in a geopolitical framework of serious crises.","news_gallery_elements":[{"id":6564,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/00752_25062026-1.jpeg"},{"id":6558,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/00758_25062026-1.jpeg"},{"id":6560,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/00763_25062026-1.jpeg"},{"id":6546,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/00791_25062026.jpeg"},{"id":6554,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/IMG_1020.jpeg"},{"id":6569,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/00793_25062026.jpg"},{"id":6571,"url":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/00997_25062026.jpg"}]},"news_categories":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/6551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/6551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6588,"href":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/6551\/revisions\/6588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sloveniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}