Ousted Maltese knight returns in defiance of pope's wishes
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The religious soap opera at the ancient Knights of Malta religious order has taken on new drama on the eve of the election of a new leader.
Pope Francis has invited more than a dozen senior knights to a pre-vote huddle Wednesday at the Vatican hotel where he lives. The topic: Saturday's vote to replace Fra' Matthew Festing, whom Francis effectively ousted as grand master in January after a public internal battle.
Even more surprising is that Festing is returning to Rome from Britain to cast his ballot Saturday in defiance of the pope's wishes.
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In an April 15 letter, Francis' delegate running the order had specifically asked Festing to stay away from Rome for the good of the order.