— Member News
The Holy See and the Equestrian Orders
October 14, 2026
The Holy See has confirmed the equestrian orders it officially recognizes.
Dear Knights and Dames,
The Secretariat of State recently published a clarification on the Holy See’s position regarding chivalric orders. It is worth taking a moment to note what it says, and we encourage our Knights and Dames to read the statement linked below.
In addition to its own five chivalric orders, the Holy See recognizes and protects only two: the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The statement makes clear that the Holy See does not intend to change this policy.
“The Holy See reaffirms that it attaches no value to knighthood diplomas and related insignia issued by unrecognized organizations and does not consider the use of churches and chapels for so-called ‘investiture ceremonies’ to be appropriate.”
All other equestrian orders, whether newly established or claiming descent from medieval orders, are not recognized by the Holy See, which cannot vouch for their historical and juridical legitimacy, their purposes, or their organizational structures. The clarification was issued to prevent the misunderstandings and abuses that can harm people acting in good faith.
