The Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, 75-year-old Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, has died after he was taken to a hospital in Rome in a critical condition on Tuesday.
Giacomo Dalla Torre was elected the 80th Grand Master of the oldest knights’ order in the history in May 2018.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a Catholic religious order that was founded in 1099 as Knights Hospitaller. The order was operated from Malta between the 16th and the 18th centuries. Since 1834, the institution has been based in Rome.
The order is currently well-known for its humanitarian activities across the world. It has permanent observer status at the United Nations and maintains diplomatic relations with 107 states.
After the death of dalla Torre functions have been taken over by 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.
