Knights of Malta Grand Master dies in Rome

By Philip Pullella

The order said on Friday that Bertie, 78, an Englishman who was elected Grand Master in 1988, died in a hospital on Thursday in Rome, where the order has been based since 1834.

Today it is involved in humanitarian, medical and charity work around the world.

A spokesman said its number two, or Grand Commander, would run the order until new elections are held, probably in several months.

Born in 1929, he was educated at Oxford and the University of London. He served in the Scots Guards and joined the order in 1956. He took solemn religious vows in 1981, according to a biography provided by the order.

FIRST CRUSADE

After the fall of Acre, the last Christian stronghold in the Holy Land, the order moved to Cyprus.

The Knights took over the tiny island because its magnificent natural harbour offered protection for their fleet.

Napoleon forced the Knights to leave Malta in 1798 and since 1834 their headquarters has been Rome, where they own a building near the Spanish Steps and a villa on the Aventine Hill.