Delving Into Enigma Of World's Rarest Passport ¨C The Sovereign Military Order Of Malta's Crimson Travel ID
Imagine entering a world where passports are more than just travel documents; they are symbols of prestige. Welcome to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
In the intricate tapestry of passports, some unfold narratives beyond borders. Beyond its borders, the Japanese passport bears a strength of access, providing visa-free entry into 194 countries.
Imagine entering a world where passports are more than just travel documents; they are symbols of prestige. Welcome to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
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500 passports in circulation
This extraordinary entity, acknowledged as a sovereign nation with UN observer status, goes beyond issuing passports. It crafts a narrative of exclusivity, issuing car plates, stamps, and currency, defying its lack of physical land.
The history of the Order, dating back to the issuance of the first passports in the 1300s, unfolds a saga of diplomatic ventures.
With only 500 diplomatic passports in circulation, the crimson passport of the Order becomes a rare artefact.
All about world's rarest passport
Designed for the Sovereign Council and diplomatic leaders, it symbolises a unique blend of history and exclusivity. It features gold lettering and the crest with the French inscription "Ordre Souverain Militaire de Malte."
"The Order grants passports to members of their government for the duration of their mandate," affirms de Petri Testaferrata in a CNN report. These passports carry different validity periods ¨C Grand Masters' passports spanning ten years, while others serve for four years, exclusively for diplomatic missions.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, two-thirds of Schengen members recognise the diplomatic passport. The Order collaborates closely with countries like France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, bridging gaps through shared humanitarian goals.
"We provide rapid medical and humanitarian supplies...," echoes de Petri Testaferrata, emphasising the Order's commitment to global well-being.
Curiously, Travel + Leisure highlights that some countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand, don't recognise this exclusive passport as a valid form of ID for travel, adding an intriguing layer to its global journey.
Active in 120 countries, the Sovereign Order of Malta continues its impactful work, extending care to those in need through medical, social, and humanitarian initiatives. Thus, it marks its presence as more than just a sovereign entity.
What is Sovereign Military Order of Malta?
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a multifaceted entity that intertwines the roles of a Roman Catholic lay religious order, a humanitarian organisation, and a sovereign entity in the international arena.
With a membership of 13,500 Knights and Dames, the organisation has diplomatic ties with 104 countries, observer status at the UN, and the authority to issue its own stamps, coins, license plates, and passports.
orderofmaltawestern.us
The order's origins date back to an 11th-century infirmary in Jerusalem. It evolved during the Crusades to care for pilgrims and take on a military role under Pope Paschal II's recognition in February 1113.
Despite once occupying Cyprus, Rhodes, and Malta, the Order of Malta faced expulsion by Napoleon in 1798, leaving it with a legacy of grand buildings but no territorial claim.
Some have described its sovereignty as a legal fiction, but a distinct legal code, constitution, government, and courts uphold it.
The order's membership criteria have evolved from stringent noble requirements to a more inclusive approach, encompassing prominent Catholics, politicians, lawyers, doctors, and academics.
Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem
Renowned for its charitable initiatives, the order runs hospitals, ambulance services, and homes in 120 countries, with signature projects like the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem providing free maternity care for the local Muslim population.
With its famous keyhole, the iconic Santa Maria villa offers a symbolic view encompassing the Order of Malta's gardens, a slice of Italy along the Tiber River, and the distant Holy See.
(With inputs from AP)
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Kumar Debvrat is a copyeditor at Indiatimes. He writes about trending topics in India, from human-interest stories to cricket. He has a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling.
