News
St Peter’s basilica prepares for Pope Francis’ funeral
The Vatican has announced that 250,000 mourners have paid their respects to Pope Francis as he lay in state in St Peter’s basilica over the three days, Wednesday until this evening, when the basilica closed to prepare for tomorrow’s solemn Requiem.
For the exceptional occasion the Order of Malta’s permanent first aid post in the square extended its coverage and personnel, adding many of its trained volunteers from CISOM (Corpo Italiano di Soccorso dell’Ordine di Malta) to help those who required assistance.
Grand Master Fra’John Dunlap, together with members of the Sovereign Council, were present to pray by the coffin and pay their solemn respects during the day.
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About
The mission of the Order of Malta is inspired by its tradition of ‘Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum’, to assist the poor and the sick, and bear witness to the Christian faith.
The Sovereign Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law. The Order – which is based in Rome, in via Condotti – has its own Government, an independent magistracy, and bilateral diplomatic relations with 110 countries.
The Order of St John of Jerusalem is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisation. Present in Palestine in around 1048, it is a lay religious Order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature.
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
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Tel: +44(0)20 7286 1414 | info@orderofmalta.org.uk