Cardinal Patron of the Order of Malta

The Cardinal Patron of the Order of Malta ( Cardinalis Patronus ) is the Pope's representative to the Order.

The Pope appoints a cardinal of the Holy Roman Church as his representative to the Order of Malta , who is given the title of "Cardinalis Patronus" and special powers. If the appointee does not belong to the college of cardinals , he is referred to as a pro-patron .

tasks

It is the responsibility of the Cardinal Patron to promote the spiritual orientation of the Order and its members and to maintain the Order's relations with the Holy See .

The Cardinal Patron is assisted by the prelate in performing his duties for the Order .

After the election of a new Grand Master and the information of the Holy Father that the election has taken place, the person elected takes the oath in the presence of the Cardinal Patron in a solemn session of the Grand Council of State .

Cardinal cartridge of the Order of Malta

Cardinal Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte , from 1937 until his death on February 16, 1948
Paolo Cardinal Giobbe , from August 8, 1961 to July 3, 1969
Giacomo Cardinal Violardo , from July 3, 1969 until his death on January 29, 1978
Cardinal Paul-Pierre Philippe , from November 10, 1978 until his death on April 9, 1984
Cardinal Sebastiano Baggio , from May 26, 1984 until his death on March 21, 1993
Pio Cardinal Laghi , from May 8, 1993 until his death on January 11, 2009
Paolo Cardinal Sardi , from November 30, 2010 to November 8, 2014 (previously since June 6, 2009 as Pro-Patron)
Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke , since November 8, 2014