October 27, 2017 -- H.M.Yuhi VI, Head of the Royal House of Rwanda, along with a senior adviser to the Royal House, visited Rome from 3 - 5 October. Arriving on the 3rd, they were received by H.E. Professor Dr. med. Annette Schavan, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Holy See, at a reception held in Germany's embassy. On 4 October, His Majesty visited St. Peter's Basilica and attended Mass at H.H. Pope Saint John Paul II's altar, celebrated by Father Dr. Georg Fischer of the Teutonic Order. Later in the day, a visit to the Vatican Museums was most interesting. In the evening, a reception was held at Palazzo Cardinal Cesi and Residenza Paolo VI, which was hosted by Senator Dr. phil. h.c. mult. Hans-Albert Courtial, the General President of the Foundation Pro Musica e Arte Sacra in St. Peter's.
Later the same evening, another reception was hosted by H.E. Ambassador Reichsfreiherr Christian von Mauchenheim (known as Bechtolsheim) of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta at Circolo della Caccia in the Palazzo Borghese. There, His Majesty was honoured to meet His Excellency Bishop Professor Dr. Tebartz-van Elst and the former Lord Mayor of Frankfurt, Dr. phil. h.c. Dr. phil. h.c. Petra Roth, on the occasion of the Presentation of the Commander's Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Senator Professor Moritz Hunzinger, awarded by His Excellency the Lieutenant of the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council of the Order of Malta. On 5 October, His Majesty visited Campo Santo Teutonico, and then preparations were made for departure back to the United Kingdom.
In addition, new members of the Royal Order of the Lion of Rwanda were welcomed at the rank of Grand Cross:
H.E. Ambassador Reichsfreiherr Christian von Mauchenheim (known as Bechtolsheim) of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Dr. phil. Michael F. Feldkamp (Head of History of the German Parliament, Bundestag)
Professor Moritz Hunzinger
René Parmantier
