On June 28, the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Albania, H.E Stefano Palumbo, and his wife Valérie hosted the annual reception on the occasion of the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist, Patron Saint of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The reception was held in the park of the Palace of Brigade in front of the Palatine Chapel recently restored with funds raised by the Embassy. Despite the restrictions caused by the post pandemic, attendance was at a very high level. In addition to the Archbishop of Tiranë-Durrës Monsignor George Frendo and the Vicar Bishop Monsignor Arjan Dodaj, the Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Luigi Bonazzi, His Royal Highness Prince Leka; the ambassadors of Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Russia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Egypt, Palestine and Brazil attended.

The Albanian authorities included the Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority, the President of the Durres Port Authority, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the Mayor of Shkodra and the Deputy Mayor of Tirana.

The religious authorities included the Director of the National Caritas, the parish priest of Shkodra Cathedral, together with various priests and nuns close to the Order. Also attending were the national representative of the Muslim community His Eminence Chief Mufti, Bujar Spahiu, the Archbishop of Tirana of the Orthodox Church His Grace Asti and H.H. Baba Mondi Supreme Head of the Bektashi Community.