The Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, has promoted Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to the dignity and rank of Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion.

The insignia was presented on Tuesday 30 April during a ceremony at the Magistral Palace in the presence of the Order of Malta’s dignitaries and other distinguished guests.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who also is Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Onofrio, has jurisdiction in the Holy Land, currently the most tormented territory, along with what the Holy Father has called “the martyred Ukraine”.

Pointing out that not only the future of Palestinians and Israelis, but also the future of Europe and the West is being decided in the Holy Land, the Grand Master offered the Cardinal his best wishes for his delicate mission, invoking the help of Almighty God, the protection of Our Lady of Philermos, St. John the Baptist and Blessed Gerard.