Rectangular in shape, covered in red, engraved with golden acronyms, its appearance is similar to a classic passport. And yet, there are few holders. With only 500 titles currently in circulation, the passport of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta turns out to be the rarest in the world, as reported by the American channel CNN this February 2.
Also baptized Order of the Knights of Malta, this religious order, placed under the aegis of the Vatican, almost a thousand years old, has international recognition granted by the UN. Internationally, the institution is recognized as an observer to the United Nations. More surprisingly, it has its own constitution, its own currency and its own stamps. However, no land has been granted to him for more than two centuries. A singularity which explains the low prevalence of its passports.
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An active diplomacy since the 14th century
The lucky ones belong to a very restricted circle. Only high dignitaries – and a few members of their family – are eligible for the precious paper. In 2017, the official website of the Sovereign Order of Malta indicated that diplomatic passports were granted “to the members of the Sovereign Council” including “the government, the heads and members of its diplomatic delegations (their spouses and minor children and, on rare occasions, to seconded persons entrusted with special missions in the Order of Malta”.
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The latter are the heirs of a long diplomatic tradition. As early as the 14th century, passports were issued by the Order of Malta to enable its representatives to exercise their diplomatic functions within other states.
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Today, the institution has its headquarters in Rome, Italy, more than two hundred years after the invasion of the island of Malta by French troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte.
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A mainly humanitarian function
Despite its small contingent, the Order maintains diplomatic relations with several major geopolitical powers, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and France. These countries are among the 106 nations to recognize the passport of the Knights of Malta, whose role is essentially devoted to Christian charity, as analyzed by Le Monde Diplomatique in 1956.
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“We quickly provide medical and humanitarian aid to victims of conflicts or natural disasters. We manage hospitals, ambulances, medical centers, homes for the elderly and disabled, popular canteens,” the president of the Order still established in Malta, Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, told CNN.
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2024-02-02 18:46:35
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