Continuing the history of paternal solicitude of his predecessors, the Holy Father continues to assure the Order of Malta of his attention and accompaniment, in order to protect and guarantee it on its path of reform.

To this end, in this moment made difficult also due to the untimely death of the Lieutenant of the Grand Master, Fra' Marco Luzzago, Pope Francis has therefore appointed a new Lieutenant of the Grand Master, Fra' John Dunlap, who will work closely with the Special Delegate, His Eminence Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, C.S., in the preparation of the Extraordinary General Chapter.

The Holy Father's decision to appoint an elected member to the current Sovereign Council manifests the desire and need to ensure a spirit of continuity and fraternal communion in the governance of the Order.

Following the events of February and March 2022, between the end of August and early September, the Pope will convene a meeting of the Joint Working Group for further communications on the forthcoming celebration of the Extraordinary General Chapter.

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Decree for the Appointment of the Lieutenant of the Grand Master [Italian]