Rolandas Makrickas was born in Biržai, in Soviet Lithuania, on 31 January 1972, the youngest of five children; under Soviet restrictions his early catechesis was private and clandestine, and as a youth he flew gliders and briefly considered aviation. He entered Kaunas seminary in 1990, studied at the Gregorian in Rome while living at the Lithuanian College, and was ordained for Panevėžys on 30 July 1996. After service with the Lithuanian bishops and a Gregorian doctorate in church history (2004), he entered the diplomatic service in 2006.
His postings took him to Bolivia, to Georgia — where he witnessed the 2008 Russo-Georgian war — to Sweden, to the United States (2013–2017), and as chargé d'affaires in Gabon and counsellor in Congo. In August 2019 he became head of administration of the Secretariat of State, the first non-Italian to hold the post. In December 2021 Francis made him extraordinary commissioner to reorganise the chapter and finances of the Basilica of St Mary Major; he was consecrated titular Archbishop of Tolentino by Cardinal Parolin in April 2023, and named coadjutor archpriest of the basilica in March 2024.
Francis created him Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Eustachio on 7 December 2024, and named him in his testament as the man entrusted with his burial instructions for St Mary Major. On 4 July 2025 he succeeded Cardinal Ryłko as Archpriest.
Consequential Quotes
Ask for nothing and refuse nothing.
It will not be ideas or technology that give us comfort or hope, but the face of the Mother of God.
Where the Madonna is present, turmoil does not prevail, and fear does not win.
His life also ends in a place that is different and simple.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archpriest of St Mary Major
Guardian of Rome's great Marian basilica, succeeding Stanisław Ryłko.
The St Mary Major reform
Commissioner, then coadjutor: rewrote the chapter's finances and statutes at Francis's order.
Executor of a pope's burial wishes
Named in Francis's testament to carry out his burial at St Mary Major.
Head of administration, Secretariat of State
The first non-Italian to hold the Vatican's chief administrative post.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.