Holy See clarifies recognition of knightly orders

The Holy See has issued a clarification in eight languages, including Arabic, regarding the recognition of Christian knightly orders. The Vatican Secretariat of State emphasized that it only recognizes and protects its own equestrian orders—the Order of Christ, the Order of the Golden Spur, the Pius Order, the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and the Order of Saint Sylvester—alongside the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

The Holy See stated it has no intention of changing this criteria. It does not recognize other orders, whether newly founded or claiming descent from medieval ones, because it cannot guarantee their historical and legal legitimacy, objectives, or organizational structures.

Furthermore, the Vatican expressed explicit distance from the “unlawful issuance of diplomas and the improper use of sacred places” by purported knightly orders. To prevent abuses that harm well-intentioned individuals, the Holy See reaffirmed that it attaches no value to titles or insignia issued by unrecognized associations and considers the use of churches and chapels for investiture ceremonies inappropriate.