Rome, 3 July 2025 – To reiterate the ideals and values of peace, dialogue and solidarity as pillars of cooperation in a world marked by wars and humanitarian crises. This is the key message that emerged from the state visit of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta Fra’ John T. Dunlap to the Captains Regent of the Republic of San Marino, which ended on 3rd of July. During the official meeting, the Grand Master expressed gratitude for the invitation and for the warm welcome, symbol of the bond that unites San Marino and the Order since 1935, when the San Marino Republic received the investiture, unique among the States, with the Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion.

The highlight of the visit was the signing of a new Cooperation Agreement between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of San Marino, reinforcing the understanding already established with the Protocols signed in 2015 with CISOM (for natural disaster response) and 2024 (for cardiovascular prevention). The shared objective is to broaden the scope of cooperation, with particular emphasis on humanitarian assistance, healthcare and civil protection. To underline the importance of the two days, the Captains Regent awarded Fra’ John T. Dunlap the Collar of the Equestrian Order of San Marino, the highest honour of the Republic.

Commending San Marino’s commitment to the defence of democracy and human rights, the Grand Master recalled the importance of diplomacy and multilateralism in the peaceful resolution of conflicts: “Strengthening international dialogue and cooperation is an essential instrument for achieving the goal of a more stable and secure world”.

The visit began on 2nd of July with a meeting with the volunteers of the AMPAM (Mobile Clinic for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Risk) project, which provides free cardiological screening for the people of San Marino, the result of collaboration between the Order and local health institutions. The initiative is a concrete example of shared commitment to public health protection and disease prevention.

 

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, born in Jerusalem in the second half of the 11th century, is a primary subject of international law and Catholic and lay religious order. Its mission is to bear witness to the faith and assist the poor and sick. Today the Order of Malta is mainly active in health and social care and humanitarian aid, operating in over 130 countries. Together with its 13,500 members, it has 100,000 volunteers supported by some 60,000 doctors, nurses and paramedics. The Order manages hospitals, healthcare clinics, out-patient units, institutes for the elderly and disabled, palliative care centres as well as projects for health and social care and psychological assistance for migrants and refugees. Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s international relief agency, provides emergency aid in war zones and during natural disasters. The Order is currently engaged in over 70 regions in Ukraine and bordering countries. In the Middle East it assists those affected by the conflicts, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza (with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem), and manages the only hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit in Bethlehem.  The Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps participates in migrant rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea.  The Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and apolitical. It has bilateral diplomatic relations with 115 States, official relations with another 5 States, and relations at ambassadorial level with the European Union and African Union. It is a Permanent Observer to the United Nations and is represented in the main international organizations. Since 1834, the seat of the Order of Malta’s government has been in Rome. The 81st Grand Master is Fra’ John T. Dunlap.