Maltese Order

The Maltese Order, also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, is a unique religious and diplomatic entity founded in the 11th century. It combines a religious mission—primarily humanitarian aid and medical assistance—with diplomatic recognition as a sovereign entity, possessing its own passports and diplomatic relations. While it operates mostly through charitable work today, it retains historical ties to the Catholic Church and an unbroken tradition of military and hospitaller service. Its status is sui generis, meaning it’s recognized as a sovereign entity but does not have a traditional nation-state.