News

Beirut, 13 March 2025 – The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, commenced a three-day visit to Lebanon today, reaffirming the Order’s longstanding commitment and support to the Lebanese people during the country’s critical recovery phase.

This high-level diplomatic mission underscores 70 years of continuous involvement by the Order of Malta in Lebanon, primarily in health, social welfare, and agriculture sectors, embodying Lebanon’s exemplary spirit of coexistence and resilience.

On the first day of his visit, the Grand Chancellor engaged in a series of key meetings. He met with Lebanon’s President Joseph Khalil Aoun, with the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Rajji, then met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and National Assembly President Nabih Berri. Discussions emphasized strengthening the existing cooperation agreement between Lebanon and the Sovereign Order of Malta, aiming to diversify and expand collaborative humanitarian and healthcare initiatives. The Lebanese institutions expressed appreciation for the Order of Malta’s work in support of the Lebanese people.

The Grand Chancellor was accompanied during his visits by Ambassadors Giampaolo Cantini and Maria Emerica Cortese as well as Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (Order of Malta Lebanon), and François Abi Saab, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon.

The Grand Chancellor warmly congratulated President Aoun on his election, and Prime Minister Salam on his recent appointment. He expressed the Order’s best wishes for all possible success in the accomplishment of their high mandate, welcoming the new phase in domestic politics and ongoing stabilization efforts.

"The international community and the major regional actors should fully support a process of stabilization and reconstruction,” the Grand Chancellor stated. “The Sovereign Order of Malta will not spare its efforts to participate in such international support to Lebanon. Our historical ties to this region run deep – rooted in Jerusalem almost one thousand years ago – and our commitment to serve its people continues unwaveringly.”

Throughout his visit, the Grand Chancellor will tour key humanitarian and development projects managed by the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, highlighting the Order’s deep commitment and active collaboration with local and international partners in serving Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities.

The Order of Malta in Lebanon

The Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (also known as Order of Malta Lebanon) has been committed for decades to serving the most vulnerable communities across the country, regardless of race, color, or religion, with the highest quality standards. Through a network of 60 projects and programs composed of 11 community healthcare centers, 11 mobile medical units, 7 agro-humanitarian centers, 3 mobile community kitchens, 2 hosting centers for the differently abled, and several other programs.

A local association based on the principles of dignity, solidarity and service, its mission extends beyond relief to promote long-term resilience and inclusion.  It adheres to the Sovereign Order of Malta and manages and leads its humanitarian and development projects with the support of several international donors.

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, born in Jerusalem in the second half of 11th century, is a primary subject of international law and Catholic and lay religious order. Its mission is to bear witness to the faith and assist the poor and sick. Today the Order of Malta is mainly active through its national organizations and international relief agency “Malteser International, mainly, in health and social care and humanitarian aid, operating in over 120 countries with its 13,500 members, 100,000 volunteers supported by some 52,000 doctors, nurses and paramedics. The Order manages hospitals, healthcare clinics, out-patient units, institutes for the elderly and disabled, palliative care centres as well as projects for health and social care and psychological assistance for migrants and refugees. The Sovereign Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and apolitical. It has bilateral diplomatic relations with 114 States including Lebanon since 1953, official relations with another 6 States, and relations at ambassadorial level with the European Union. It is a Permanent Observer to the United Nations and is represented in the main international organizations. Since 1834, the seat of the Order of Malta’s government has been in Rome. The 81st Grand Master is Fra’ John T. Dunlap.