To the Venerable Brother
The Lord Cardinal-Designate
Silvano Maria Tomasi, C.S.
After accepting the resignation of His Most Reverend Excellency Cardinal Angelo Becciu, with the present letter I appoint you my Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (S.M.O.M.), with the task to collaborate for the greater good of the Order, with H.E. Fra’ Ruy Goncalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas, interim Lieutenant and Grand Commander, and with the next Grand Master opportunely elected. You will enjoy all the necessary powers to decide the eventual questions that may arise for the implementation of the mandate entrusted to you, to receive the oath of the next Grand Master and you will be my exclusive spokesman for all that pertains to the relations between this Apostolic See and the Order. I ask you to carry out the office of my Delegate up to the conclusion of the updating process of the Constitutional Charter and of the Maltese Code and in any case while I find it useful for the Order itself.
In renewing my assurance of prayer, I impart my heartfelt Apostolic Blessing to Your Eminence, which I gladly extend to all the members of the Maltese Order.
From the Vatican, 1st November 2020.
Francis
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
