Top Malta Knight Passes

A solemn Mass has been held to remember the grand master of the order of theKnights of Malta , a Catholic order that traces its origins to the Crusades.
His Most Eminent Highness Fra' Andrew Bertie was the first Englishman to lead the order since the 13th Century and was grand master for almost 20 years.



Also present were the senior members of the order, dressed in their fine black robes embroidered with a white eight-pointed cross.

One mourner said: "He was an extraordinary man in the sense that he was on the one hand very British but on the other hand, he spoke six languages and [he was] a very international man."

The order will meet next Tuesday to select Fra' Bertie's successor. Grand masters, like popes, are elected for life.

Fifty people will vote in the secret ballot and all the votes cast will be destroyed.

The voting continues until one candidate has a simple majority plus one.

The result will stay secret until the new grand master has revealed his identity to the Pope.

credit: BBC