The Grand master of the order of Malta (Sovereign military Hospitaller order of Saint John of Rhodes and of Malta) Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto died in Rome on Wednesday shortly after midnight on 76-m to year of life, reported the press service of the influential Catholic order.
On Tuesday it became known that dalla Torre was hospitalized in one of the Roman hospitals in critical condition.
From sources in the leadership of the order of Malta RIA Novosti news Agency became known, that the Grand master had not been infected with the coronavirus, the cause of his death was cancer.
"This is unfortunate news, especially that of the Great master actively worked literally until very recently. In January, he made an official visit to the Republic of Benin, and after this trip felt ill", – said the Agency representative of this oldest operating in the world of chivalry.
Giacomo dalla Torre was elected head of the order of Malta in may 2018 at a specially convened on this occasion, the meeting of the State Council, which was attended by 54 electors, including members of the Sovereign Council (the government), priors, elected knights, and 15 presidents of national associations of the order among which the first were two women. He was the 80th Grand master in the history of the order.
After the death of dalla Torre functions of the Locum Tenens, in accordance with article 17 of the Constitution of the order of Malta took over the Grand commander Gonzalo RUY do Valle Peixoto. He will be at the head of the order until the election of a new Grand master to be appointed at a later date.
The order of Malta has observer status at the UN. He has diplomatic and official relations with 116 countries, including with Russia.
Sovereign military Hospitaller order of St. John, of Rhodes and of Malta was founded in Jerusalem in 1048 by the crusaders. After capture by Muslims of the Holy land, they moved to Rhodes, and then settled in Malta. Grand master and protector of the knights of Malta was the Russian Emperor Paul I.
Currently, the headquarters of the order is in Rome. Members of the Maltese order, who is actively engaged in providing humanitarian and medical assistance to the needy, are now 13.5 thousand knights. In the implementation of projects of the order in 120 countries, including in the areas of acute international conflicts, particularly in Syria and Iraq, involved more than 42 thousand doctors and medical professionals, as well as about 80 thousand volunteers.
