The National Day of the Order of Malta in Italy, devoted to the promotion of health and solidarity, is being held for the first time today.  From 9 am to 7 pm,  it’s possible to have free blood-pressure tests and a doctor’s assessment in eleven Italian cities. Together with basic health information, the day was organized to publicise the Order of Malta’s manifold humanitarian and charitable works in Italy and another 120 countries .

The eleven cities involved are Bologna, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Loreto, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome, Turin and Venice. In some of these cities, the components and volunteers of the Order’s various structures – Gran Priories, National Associations, Delegations, Italian Relief Corps and Military Corps (this latter auxiliary corps of the Italian army specialized in healthcare and humanitarian aid) – will distribute informative material and reply to the questions of those interested in learning more about the mission of an Order that has been serving others for 900 years.

This morning in Rome, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, visited the tent set up in Piazza del Popolo where he gave a warm greeting to volunteers involved in the day.

Speaking with the Procurator of the Grand Priory of Rome, Amedeo de Franchis and the President of the Italian Association Riccardo Paterno’, the Grand Master complimented them on the organization of this first Italian national day, hoping it will become an annual appointment.