From 5 to 9 May 2023, the Order of Malta’s 65th international pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, took place. Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap led the pilgrimage in his first official engagement after his very recent election by the Council Complete of State.

This year the number of participants has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels: there were over 6,000 participants of 41 different nationalities, with a large participation from the Far East, in particular from Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and Australia. Of the 6,000 participants, there are 1,077 sick people, of whom 201 are children under the age of 12.

Furthemore, this year Switzerland organized the international evening where more than 2000 people participated.