Following the resignation of the Grand Hospitaller, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, handed in for personal reasons on 17 February 2025, the Sovereign Council, convened for an extraordinary session today, 18 February 2025, appointed H.E. Dr. Josef D. Blotz as Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Dr. Josef D. Blotz (born 22 November 1956 in Hadamar) is a former Major General of the German Army. In his last position, he was Deputy Commanding General of the Eurocorps in Strasbourg (France). Josef Blotz joined the Order of Malta in 1992 as a Knight of Magistral Grace and has been a Member of the Sovereign Council since January 2023. Today he has been appointed as Grand Hospitaller.

The Grand Hospitaller’s responsibilities include the offices of Minister of Health and of Social Affairs and Minister for Humanitarian Action and Minister for International Cooperation. He coordinates and supervises the initiatives of the Grand Priories, National Associations and other Order institutions world-wide, all of which are involved in charitable and humanitarian actions, and ensures that Christian principles of care and human dignity are respected.

The Grand Hospitaller is assisted by a Council composed of representatives of all the territorial regions in which the Order of Malta operates.