The following is the Letter the Holy Father Francis has sent to H.E. Msgr. Giovanni Angelo Becciu, special delegate to the Sovereign Military Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (S.M.O.M.)

Letter of the Holy Father

To the Venerable Brother
Msgr. Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Titular Archbishop of Roselle
Special Delegate to the Special Delegate at the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta

Fifteen months have now passed since 2 February 2017, when I decided to entrust to Your Excellency the office of my Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, with the task of accompanying that meritorious Order in the process of updating its Constitutional Charter and the Melitensis Code.

I wish first to thank you for your efforts in this delicate task, which you have performed willingly, especially in encountering and carefully listening to the Members of the Order. Considering the fact that the path of spiritual and juridical renewal of the S.M.O.M. has not yet been concluded, I ask you to continue to hold the office of my Delegate up to the conclusion of the reform process and in any case until I consider it useful for the Order itself. Until then you will continue to benefit from all powers and of being my exclusive spokesperson for all that relates to the relations between this Apostolic See and the Order.

I hereby designate Your Excellency to receive the oath of the New Grand Master of the Order, His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, to take place on 3 May.

In renewing the assurance of my prayer, I heartily impart my Apostolic Blessing to you, to the Grand Master and to all the members of the Melitense Order.

From the Vatican, 2 May 2018

Francis