Rolandas Makrickas (born 31 January 1972) is a Lithuanian prelate of the Catholic Church who was named coadjutor archpriest of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in March 2024. He worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 2006 to 2021, when he was given responsibility for reorganizing the administration of the Basilica. He has been an archbishop since 2023.
Biography
Early life and education
Rolandas Makrickas was born on 31 January 1972 in Biržai, Lithuania,[1] the youngest of five children.[2] Because Soviet authorities restricted religious practice and catechesis, his early religious education was private and tersely accomplished. The end of the Soviet era allowed him to gain a more extensive understanding of his faith and ways of experiencing beyond ritual. While young he flew gliders and briefly considered a career in aviation.[2]
He studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy from 2003 to 2006[citation needed] and joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 2006 and fulfilled assignments first in Bolivia,[2] in Georgia where he witnessed the destruction of the Russo-Georgian War,[2] and in Sweden where the nunciature was responsible for several northern countries.[1] He served in the United States from 2013 to 2017, which included a papal visit. For two years, he was chargeé d'affairs in Gabon and counselor in Congo,[3] where he joined in the Church's delivery of social services and managed a construction project.[2]
On 10 August 2019, he joined the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State in Rome[1] as head of administration, the first non-Italian to hold that position.[4] In that role he participated in the reorganization of the Vatican's financial and administrative functions.[2]
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
On 15 December 2021, Pope Francis appointed him extraordinary commissioner with responsibility for managing the assets of the chapter of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, citing "the particular complexities of the economic and financial management of the Chapter ... exacerbated by the spread of the [COVID-19] pandemic".[5][a] The pope left a meeting to offer him the post in a brief hallway conversation.[2] Despite that characterization of his role, he repeatedly acted as spokesperson for the basilica's events and initiatives.[7][8][9][10]
On 23 February 2023, the pope made him titular bishop of Tolentino with the personal title of archbishop.[1] Makrickas received his episcopal consecration on 15 April from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, with co-consecrators Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, Archpriest of Santa Maria Maggiore, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra.[11]
On 20 March 2024, ending Makrickas' role as commissioner and redefining the role of the Basilica's canons,[6] Pope Francis named him coadjutor archpriest of Santa Maria Maggiore.[12]
Notes
^When Makrickas ended his work as commissioner, Pope Francis described his remit differently: "the task of reorganizing the life of the Chapter and the Basilica".[6]