In Rome, on December 5, the Council of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta awarded Prof. Doctor Gonçalo de Vasconcelos e Sousa, Professor and President of the Scientific Council of School of Arts of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion for services rendered to this institution.

Created in 1113, the Order of Malta is a Catholic humanitarian organization recognized as a private international law entity. In the 18th century in particular, it developed special historical relations with Portugal, with the Grand Masters Friar António Manoel de Vilhena and Friar Manuel Pinto da Fonseca being particularly important. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries, including Portugal.