Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing received the President of the Italian Senate, Renato Schifani, today in the Magistral Palace. In his speech, the Grand Master thanked the holder of the second highest office of State for the support given during the debate for the parliamentary ratification of the Agreement on Health Relations between Italy and the Order of Malta”, recognising that the Order’s health network is on a par with the Italian one.

During the meeting the Grand Master conferred the Grand Cross of the Order al Merito Melitense, the Order of Malta’s highest honour, on the President of the Senate who, in thanking him, confirmed his appreciation for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, representing as it does an example of proximity to and solidarity with those who suffer, carrying out its mission with faith and great commitment, sometimes even up to the supreme sacrifice, to help so many people.