His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received in audience Fra’ Matthew Festing, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, accompanied by members of the Sovereign Council.

The long private conversation focused on the Order of Malta’s initiatives to foster inter-religious dialogue and its commitment in the Holy Land, as well as its medical and humanitarian work in some of the most devastated areas of the earth, including Haiti and Africa, often mentioned in the Pope’s appeals.

After the meeting with the Pope, the delegation was received by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State.

Pope Benedict XVI asked the Grand Master to extend his best wishes to all the Order of Malta’s members for the feast of St. John the Baptist.