Pope Francis has dissolved the leadership of the Knights of Malta, a centuries-old monastic Catholic order based in Rome that focuses on charitable health and social work around the world. This was announced by the Holy See on Saturday, which was referred to by the DPA news agency. The Pope issued a decree in which he announced a change of leadership, i.e. the Supreme Council. The Order of Malta will be overseen by a temporary government until new members of the leadership – including a new Grand Master – are elected. This process is scheduled to begin in January. The Knights of Malta are a sovereign non-state entity under international law, with their own passports and embassies, but owning no territory apart from two buildings, including a headquarters in Rome. The Order of Malta is independent from the Vatican, but swears allegiance to the Pope. The order currently has approximately 13,500 members worldwide. They founded it in Jerusalem in the 11th century, before the Crusades. He likes to experience a long-term leadership crisis, and František has had public disputes with him in the past. “The Order of Malta welcomes the paternal steps taken by His Holiness, which show how much the Pope loves our order,” said John Dunlap, head of the interim government, in a statement. “The Pope’s decision to give powers to the provisional government is the first step in a clear plan for a more efficient, simpler administration of the order,” he added. Is the Pope about to retire? See Ján Tribulu’s archive report