President Gitanas Nausėda met with Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Prince and 81st Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, who arrived in Lithuania on a state visit.

Oficiali Maltos ordino Didžiojo Magistro sutikimo ceremonija.

The President emphasized that Lithuania highly values the Order of Malta’s longstanding work both in this country and around the world, providing assistance to the most vulnerable members of society and promoting the values of solidarity and compassion.

The official ties between the Order of Malta and Lithuania date back to the early seventeenth century, when the Order established its representation – a commandery – in Lithuania. In the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, members of the Order came from noble Lithuanian families such as the Radziwiłłs, the Ostrogskis, and others.

Oficiali Maltos ordino Didžiojo Magistro sutikimo ceremonija.

The Knights of Malta defended the faith and aided those in need, while their residences became centers of Christian Western culture.

Unfortunately, due to Tsarist Russian and later Soviet occupation, the Order’s activities in Lithuania were discontinued.

The Order of Malta returned to Lithuania after the restoration of national independence. Thirty-five years ago, on 29 October 1991, the Order of Malta Relief Organisation in Lithuania – the Maltesers – was established. Today, it is rightfully recognized as one of the best-known humanitarian aid and relief organizations operating in our country.

The President expressed his gratitude for the work and contributions of the Order of Malta’s Relief Organization in Lithuania, the Maltesers, in supporting older people, children, persons with disabilities, and other groups in need. The Head of State also highlighted the importance of the Maltesers’ Soup initiative, which is under the patronage of First Lady Diana Nausėdienė.

For many years, the initiative has brought people together around a noble cause—supporting seniors who are lonely and facing hardship. It also strengthens community spirit and fosters solidarity with society’s most vulnerable members.

Lietuvos pirmoji pora ir Maltos ordino Didysis Magistras aplanko Maltiečių iniciatyvų miestelį.

A significant part of the meeting focused on the humanitarian consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The President highlighted the Order of Malta’s steadfast support for Ukrainian people, noting that its humanitarian operation is the largest since World War II. Gitanas Nausėda underscored that Lithuania and the Order of Malta are actively contributing to the assistance for children, as well as providing psychological and social support and rehabilitation services for those affected by the war.

Lietuvos pirmoji pora ir Maltos ordino Didysis Magistras aplanko Maltiečių iniciatyvų miestelį.

“We are sincerely grateful to the Order of Malta and the Maltesers for their invaluable work in providing spiritual support, assistance, and aid to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our society. This was especially true during the difficult early years of regained independence, when the Lithuanian state was rebuilding itself and finding its footing again.

I deeply value and cherish the fact that both my family and I contribute personally to the work of the Maltesers through donations and support. My wife, Diana, is a committed patron of the Malteser Soup charity campaign and dedicates her time and attention to the organization’s other volunteer activities.

Today, I especially want to thank the Order of Malta for its assistance and support to Ukraine and its people suffering from Russian aggression. We understand that this aid represents the largest humanitarian effort undertaken by the Order since the Second World War. Assisting Ukraine is both in the interest of, and a duty for, all people of goodwill, as well as for Western civilization as a whole.- the President sad.

Lietuvos pirmoji pora ir Maltos ordino Didysis Magistras aplanko Maltiečių iniciatyvų miestelį.

Since regaining its independence, Lithuania has grown and matured, joined the European Union, and the well-being of its people has improved. Today, we too wish to – and are able to – extend help and support to those facing hardship, including through cooperation between the Republic of Lithuania and the Sovereign Order of Malta.

In the twenty-first century, Lithuanians are once again becoming members of the Order of Malta. This is a source of pride. I am confident that the National Association of the Order of Malta in Lithuania will lead to even stronger ties and deeper cooperation between the Republic of Lithuania and the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The meeting also addressed relations between Lithuania and the Order of Malta, future opportunities for cooperation, and the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy taking place in Vilnius, which has brought together the faithful and people of goodwill from countries around the world.