Vatican City: In a significant move, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas of Lithuania has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome one of the four major papal basilicas and a spiritual crown jewel of Christendom. This appointment comes as Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, who previously held the office, steps down upon reaching the age of 80.
Cardinal Makrickas, who was made a cardinal by Pope Francis on December 8, 2024, will now oversee the spiritual and administrative life of the iconic Marian sanctuary. His appointment carries a deep symbolic significance, as the basilica holds a special place in the devotional and liturgical heart of the universal Church.
The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, also known by its Latin title Santa Maria Maggiore, stands as the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in 352 AD during the pontificate of Pope Liberius, the basilica has remained a beacon of Marian devotion, housing within its walls centuries of Christian tradition and veneration.
Among the most treasured relics within the basilica is the revered icon of Salus Populi Romani “Protectress of the Roman People” which tradition holds was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist and brought to Rome by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine. The icon has long been a focus of papal prayer, especially during times of crisis and at the outset of apostolic missions.
Notably, Pope Francis had a deep personal bond with this basilica. He made it a practice to stop at Saint Mary Major both before and after his international journeys, placing each mission under the protection of the Virgin Mary. In a break from long-standing tradition, Pope Francis had also expressed his wish to be buried at Saint Mary Major rather than in St. Peter’s Basilica an expression of his profound Marian devotion. As such, his mortal remains now rest within this sacred space, a testament to his lifelong affection for Our Lady.
With Cardinal Makrickas now at the helm, the basilica enters a new chapter, entrusted to a leader whose pastoral vision and ecclesial experience are expected to deepen the mission of the basilica as a global sanctuary of peace, prayer, and maternal intercession. His leadership is anticipated to further integrate the basilica’s role as a spiritual lighthouse for pilgrims, locals, and the broader Church alike.
The appointment reinforces the Vatican’s vision of ensuring that its most sacred spaces are led by shepherds with a strong sense of spiritual legacy and global outreach qualities that define Cardinal Makrickas’ emerging role within the heart of the Roman Church.