Only about 500 diplomatic passports are issued by the Order of Malta, making it the rarest in the world.
Eugenio Ajroldi di Robbiate, former communications director for The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, "wanted to laugh" at the reaction of airport staff at Bangkok, Thailand, who flocked to take selfies with Robbiate's rare passport. "They probably had never seen one before," he told CNN on February 2.
The Robbiate passport is one of the rarest in the world, with around 500 holders and is issued by the Order of Malta. It is recognised by around 70% of the Schengen area. The Order also works closely with many countries with which it has no formal diplomatic relations, such as France, the UK and the US.
The passport is held by only 500 people in the world. Photo: CNN
The full name of The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. This Catholic religious order has nearly 1,000 years of history, operating as a military force. Its members are the oldest European knights in the world, considered a chivalrous and martial force. That is why the Order's passport is called by many people: the Knight's Passport.
Today they operate as a humanitarian aid organization, donating millions of dollars to help people in nearly 120 countries. They provide rapid medical and humanitarian supplies to victims of conflict or natural disasters, and operate hospitals, ambulances, health centers, homes for the elderly and disabled, soup kitchens, and first aid stations.
The Order of Malta is also recognized as an observer of the United Nations and has its own constitution. In addition to passports, the order also has its own stamps, currency, and license plates, but because it does not own any land, it does not have its own roads. Currently, the order has three main bases: Palazzo Malta (Grand Knights' residence) in Rome, Villa del Priorato di Malta on the Aventine Hill (government headquarters) in Italy, and Castle Saint Angelo on the island of Malta.
The first passports appeared in the 1300s when their diplomats traveled around as ambassadors. After World War II, passports became more widely used.
Fort Angelo on the island of Malta. Photo: Alamy
The crimson passport, decorated with the name of the organization and a coat of arms in gold, has 44 pages stamped with a cross. The passports of the heads of the order are valid for the longest period, 10 years, if they serve two terms. The passports of those in lower positions are valid for 4 years.
Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, head of the Malta headquarters, said there are currently about 13,500 knights, ladies and clergy worldwide and about 100 live in the Maltese archipelago.
Visitors to Malta today may find it difficult to encounter the knights, but there are “plenty of places across the archipelago where you can learn about the history of the order,” such as the honey-coloured St Angelo Fortress on the main island. The medieval structure was once the order’s headquarters.
De Petri Testaferrata says the chapel dedicated to St Anne at the top of the Fort is still cared for by the Order. You can visit this part of the fort to see the head of the order pray daily.
Inside the Grand Knight's Castle, a popular tourist attraction on the island of Malta. Photo: Alamy
Within the ancient city walls of Mdina, Malta's medieval capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can learn more about the Order through the "The Knights of Malta" experience.
In the capital Valletta, visitors can continue to follow in the footsteps of the knights by visiting the National Library, which houses the parchment used by Pope Paschal II in 1113.
The library's collection includes original documents and manuscripts from the Order, says Dane Munro, tour guide and historian specializing in the Order's history. After the library, visitors can cross the street to visit the Grand Master's Palace.
Anh Minh (According to CNN )
Source link
Comment (0)