The Chapter of Professed opened this morning in the Magistral Villa. This is the body responsible for drafting, on the basis of a secret ballot, the binding list of three candidates for the election of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This list will be presented to the Council Complete of State which will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 3 May, in the institutional seat of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

28 members of the Order of Malta came to Rome to participate in the Chapter of Professed. The meeting opened this morning with a mass celebrated by Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi c.s., Special Delegate of the Pope, in the Church of Santa Maria in Aventino.

According to Article 12 of the Constitution, the Grand Master is the head of the Order and he is entitled to sovereign prerogatives and honours as well as the title of Most Eminent Highness. He must devote himself entirely to the growth of the Order’s works and serve as an example of true Christian life.

The Grand Master, together with the Sovereign Council, is responsible for enacting legislative measures not provided for by the Constitutional Charter, for promulgating government acts and for ratifying international agreements. He administers, through the Receiver of the Common Treasure, the Order’s assets and convenes the Chapter of Professed and the Chapter General.