Our help is neutral, impartial, and apolitical
H.E. Mr. Wenceslas Lobkowicz with Pavel Maruška, Director of the Grand Priory of Bohemia
Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive
You were born in France, but you consider yourself Czech, with your name spelled as Václav Lobkowicz. How is that so?
I was born in France in 1953. Both my Czech parents had to leave Czechoslovakia in 1948. My roots are in Bohemia and Moravia, but the French authorities insisted on putting the French wording of my first name in their registers, i.e. Wenceslas and not Vaclav, which was unknown in France. This does not change the fact that I am Czech by birth, which was recognized by Czech authorities after the Velvet Revolution. Anyway, it demonstrates that I am European since both countries, the Czech Republic and France, are EU Member States.
We usually present interviews with ambassadors of different countries, which makes you rather unique since you represent a religious order. Can you please introduce us to the Order of Malta?
The Sovereign Order of Malta has been a lay religious order of the Catholic Church since 1113. Founded in Jerusalem, the Order of Malta has a long history of service to the vulnerable and the sick, in line with our 900-year-long history. Since 1834, the Order’s government seat has been in Rome, where it is guaranteed extraterritorial rights. We are subject of international law. The Order of Malta has diplomatic relations with over 100 states and the European Union, as well as permanent observer status at the United Nations. It is neutral, impartial, and apolitical.
Today, the Order of Malta is active in 130 countries, helping people in need through its medical, social, and humanitarian work. We provide support for forgotten or excluded members of society. We help people living through armed conflicts and natural disasters by providing medical assistance, caring for refugees. Across the world, the Order is dedicated to the preservation of human dignity and the care of all those in need, regardless of their origin or religion. The Order of Malta operates through 10 priories, 50 national associations, 131 diplomatic missions and representations, one worldwide relief agency, and 45 national volunteer corps, as well as numerous hospitals, medical centres, and specialist foundations.
H.E. Mr. Wenceslas Lobkowicz and his wife Armelle with Michael Rainey
How did you become the Order’s ambassador?
I have worked in the field of international relations all my life; I served the European Commission for 38 years. I have had the experience of different cultures, as well as using different languages. Meanwhile, I became the Knight of the Order of Malta in the Grand Priory of Bohemia. When my predecessor, Ambassador Mario Quagliotti, left his position in 2015, I was asked by the Grand Magistry in Rome if I would agree to become his successor. As I was just before my retirement, I considered it seriously, knowing that it is a voluntary position without remuneration, having to take care of the travel and operating expenses on my own. The European Commission, my former authorities, agreed that there would be no conflict of interest. Last but not least, I also asked my family – my wife and four sons – who considered it very interesting.
You have been in the Czech Republic for nine years. Can you share your impressions?
I knew the Czech Republic before receiving this position. It is a beautiful country with wonderful landscapes, and with many churches and castles. Now, I have a much better knowledge of real life, not only in Prague but throughout the country. I am in contact with the political and public authorities. Much more rewarding are the contacts with the volunteers to help people in need. Some activities are implemented by Maltézská pomoc or directly by the Grand Priory of Bohemia: first aid service at the Cathedral, and activities in schools (the Higher Medical School for Nurses in Prague, the elementary school in Kladno, and the secondary school in Skuteč). The most impressive event is attending the international pilgrimage in Lourdes, France with the Grand Priory of Bohemia. In 2025, it was the 67th international pilgrimage conducted by our Grand Master, Fra John Dunlap. We were more than 7,000 people, including 1,200 sick, 440 doctors and healthcare workers, 250 religious people, 500 young volunteers, and 200 children from 43 countries.
How many countries did you serve in before coming to Prague?
For the Order of Malta, it is my first position. In my “previous life”, I was based in Brussels, Belgium, where the European institutions have their seat, but I was travelling to all 27 EU Member States as well as candidate countries, especially in the Western Balkans. What is the best adventure you have had here so far? The most challenging task is to explain what the Order does in the Czech Republic and all over the world in accordance with our motto: “Tutio fidei and obsequium pauperum” (protection of faith and service to the poor). We do it without consideration of the situation the persons are in. The best example is the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, where 100,000 children have been born since February 1990, run by a highly qualified staff.
The Church of Our Lady beneath the Chain – the Order´s church in Prague
How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I try to concentrate on my family life – my wife, my four married sons, and my six (soon-to-be seven) grandchildren. I think that grandparents also have a major role to play in education – to convince young generations of the importance of essential values in society. Furthermore, I also spend a lot of time in my village, where I have been re-elected to the local Council for over 40 years.
What is your advice to the next generation of ambassadors?
We have to be ready to implement instructions received from Rome to promote good cooperation between our countries. Therefore, an ambassador needs to know the specificities of the country where he is accredited. He should be a person who could explain how public institutions and civil society work together to pave the way of an efficient cooperation with the Order of Malta. Last, but not least, as we are a Catholic Order, we are in line with the Holy See. Our newly elected Pope Lev XIV is a member of our Order. This interview was done on the occasion of the National Day of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
What are your wishes on this special day?
The 24th of June is the Order National Day, on the occasion of the feast day of Saint John Baptist, patron Saint of our Order. I wish that in the future the Order can continue its task and convince the Czech society that we are working for all persons in need. I also hope that freedom of religion will remain as a basic principle of Czech society, accepted by all citizens as it is in all European countries.