The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and Malta, His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ Andrew Bertie, today received on official visit at the Magistral Palace [1], Rome, Italy, the President of the Republic of Montenegro, H.E. Mr. Filip Vujanović, together with his wife and a delegation of Officials.

The today’s visit of the Montenegrin President followed that made on March 12-15, 2004 by the Grand Master to Montenegro.

During their meeting, both President Vujanović and H.M.E.H. Fra’ Andrew Bertie emphasized that Montenegro and the Order of Malta were intrinsically tied by the Holy Icon of Our Lady of Philermos, Patroness of the Knights of Malta [2], which is presently diplayed at the King’s Palace, now National Museum of Cetinje, the old Royal capital of Montenegro.

Grand Master Fra’ Andrew Bertie took the opportunity of this official visit to relay the wish of all the Knights and Dames of the Order around the world to organize pilgrimages to the Holy Icon of Our Lady of Philermos.

In particular, the meeting was the occasion to announce the next visit in Montenegro of an important Knights’ delegation — organized by the American and German Associations of the Order of Malta — to pay homage to the Holy Icon, and to reaffirm through this pilgrimage the close relation which links Montenegrins and Knights of Malta around this historical, religious and cultural symbol.