That quotation appears to assert or deal with papal authority over the RC Church. The Church recognized the
sovereignty of the knights of Malta as long ago as 1113. Pope Benedict also recognized the order’s sovereignty in modern times. The order and Vatican relate via embassies to each other. The order enjoys recognition of its independent sovereignty by 106 nations. I’m not it’s apologist and it has been accused of a lot of very questionable activities ( it may not be just a medical assistance outfit) — but be that as it may, the sovereign order of knights of malta , etal....certainly doesn’t appear to be an integral part of the RC Church organization ———? ?? That’s all I was reacting to. I will let other, more informed folks carry this question forward as that’s all I knows. Thanks
I'm not sure, if they are a group of Catholics, how they wouldn't be part of the Catholic Church and required to submit to a valid Catholic pope's requests.