Early Relations
Although the exact date of initial contact between the Order and Brazil is not well-documented, the relationship likely began during the 19th century when Brazil, having gained independence in 1822, began formalizing its diplomatic relationships with a variety of sovereign entities, including the Order of Malta.

Formal Diplomatic Relations
Formal diplomatic relations between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Brazil were established in 1952. Since then, the Order has maintained an Embassy in Brasília, led by an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Brazil, in turn, has an Ambassador and a diplomatic mission accredited to the Order’s government.

Humanitarian Mission and Collaboration
Through its three local Brazilian associations and its volunteers, the Order of Malta maintains continued and active presence in Brazil, particularly in healthcare services and social welfare projects. The Order operates various clinics, nurseries, and support programs aimed at improving living conditions for Brazil’s vulnerable populations, including the elderly, the homeless, and impoverished communities.

Institutional Exchanges
In April 1990, the Order of Malta’s Grand Master Fra’ Andrew Bertie visited Brazil as part of an official tour across Latin America. During this trip, he also traveled to Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, strengthening the Order’s presence and humanitarian collaborations across the region.

In 2011, then-Grand Chancellor Jean-Pierre Mazery made a private visit to São Paulo to meet members of the Order of Malta and review the projects in the area.

In recent times it has to be mentioned that on 8 October 2024, the Minister of Health of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Nisia Veronica Trindade Lima, paid a courtesy visit at the Grand Magistry where she was received by the Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis. They reviewed the existing state of collaboration in Brazil, in several sectors such as vocational training, primary education, assistance to the elderly, and healthcare. New areas of collaboration were considered for the near future.