Holy Father’s letter to Cardinal-elect Silvano M. Tomasi

Pope Francis appointed Cardinal-elect Silvano Maria Tomasi as his Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (SMOM). The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s letter  which was written in Italian.

To my Venerable Brother
Cardinal-elect
SILVANO MARIA TOMASI, CS

After accepting the resignation of  H.E. the most reverend Cardinal Angelo Becciu, I hereby appoint you my Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (SMOM), with the task of collaborating, for the greater good of the Order, with H.E. Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas, Lieutenant “ad interim” and Grand Commander, and with the next duly elected Grand Master.

You will enjoy all the powers necessary to decide possible issues that may arise, to implement the mandate entrusted to you and to receive the oath of the next Grand Master, and you will be my exclusive spokesperson for all that pertains to relations between this Apostolic See and the Order.

I ask that you carry out the office of my Delegate until the conclusion of the process of updating the Constitutional Charter and the Melitense Code, and in any case, until I shall deem it beneficial for the Order itself.

In reconfirming to you the assurance of my prayer, I wholeheartedly impart my Apostolic Blessing to Your Eminence, which I willingly extend to all Members of the Melitense Order.

From the Vatican,
1 November 2020

FRANCIS