On Saturday 2 October, H.S.H. Prince Albert II received Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, in the Palace of Monaco.
The Sovereign had a one-to-one conversation with His Eminence before the latter presented him with the insignia of "Knight of the Collar" of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a rare distinction, in recognition of Monaco's actions in the Holy Land. Prince Albert, in return, presented Cardinal Filoni with the insignia of Grand Officer in the Order of the Grimaldis.
During the visit there was the presentation of a cheque in support of the Order's activities, a lunch in the Palace Gardens and a ceremony in Monaco Cathedral.
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is an ancient order with the status of an association of the Catholic faithful which works to help Christian communities in the Holy Land, now Israel, but also in Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus. Its motto is "Deus lo vult", which translates into English as "God wants it".
