Catholic World News News Feature

Four new cardinals honored by Knights of Malta May 24, 2006

Four of the newest members of the College of Cardinals, after receiving their red hats from Pope Benedict XVI on March 24, have received high honors from the Knights of Malta.

Cardinals Agostino Vallini, Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, William Joseph Levada, and Franc Rodé received the Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion from Fra Andrew Bertie, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta. The honor-- one of the highest available in the Order-- was conferred on the four new cardinals who are currently stationed in Rome, and are now members of the Knights of Malta.

Pope Benedict XVI is also a Knight of Malta, having receiving the same honor in 1999. He is the second Pontiff to be a member of the Order, following Pope Pius XII.