Stanisław Ryłko was born in Andrychów, Poland, on 4 July 1945. Ordained a priest on 30 March 1969, he holds a doctorate in social sciences from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was vice-rector of the major seminary of Kraków and professor of pastoral theology before being called to Rome in 1987 to head the youth section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity — the engine room of John Paul II's World Youth Days.
He coordinated the organisation of World Youth Day in Santiago de Compostela (1989), Częstochowa (1991) and Denver (1993). Named titular Bishop of Novica and Secretary of the Council for the Laity in 1995, he became its President on 4 October 2003, organising the World Youth Days of Cologne (2005), Sydney (2008), Madrid (2011) and Rio de Janeiro (2013).
Benedict XVI created him a cardinal on 24 November 2007, with the deaconry of Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re — raised pro hac vice to cardinal-priest in 2018. He voted in the conclave of 2013. On 28 December 2016 Francis appointed him Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major; he is now emeritus.
Major Works & Initiatives
President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity
Ran the dicastery for the lay faithful for thirteen years.
Archpriest of St Mary Major
Guardian of Rome's great Marian basilica.
The World Youth Day years
Coordinated or organised seven World Youth Days across four continents.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.