A couple of months ago, Pope Francis announced that he intends to induct 21 clergymen into the cardinalate in December. Among them is Lithuanian Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the Great Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is the fifth cardinal in Lithuanian history and the third Lithuanian in the College of Cardinals. R. Makrickas is one of the youngest (fifth youngest) cardinals in the world. In addition, he becomes a cardinal elector, meaning that he will elect the pope after a conclave. The official ceremony of inducting the cardinals takes place on December 7 in the Vatican. The daily newspaper “Bernardinai.lt” shares the insights of prominent people: the Chairman of the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference, Metropolitan Archbishop of Vilnius Gintaras Grušas, the Nuncio of the Holy See to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas and the Ambassador to the Holy See and the Order of Malta Sigita Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė talk about the significance of R. Makrickas’ induction into the College of Cardinals for the Church and Lithuania. They are interviewed by journalist Vytautas Markevičius. According to the Chairman of the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference, Metropolitan Archbishop of Vilnius G. Grušas, the induction of Archbishop. R. Makrickas into the College of Cardinals is an appreciation of his service to the Church. “First of all, this is an appreciation of Rolandas Makrickas’ work and dedication to the Church. This is related to his duties as archpriest in the Great Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its status shows that the archpriest must be a cardinal. However, this is not just a matter of honor. Here the archbishop had a lot of work ahead of him, and of course his previous work in the Church contributed to this,” emphasizes Archbishop G. Grušas. Archbishop R. Makrickas is a well-known friend of the Holy See’s nuncio in Ukraine, Archbishop V. Kulbok. When asked how he welcomed the Pope’s decision to introduce Archbishop R. Makrickas to the College of Cardinals, the nuncio admits that he had expected this news. “For several years I have observed how Roland Makrickas is quite good at coping with difficult tasks, that my colleague, the future Cardinal Roland, can be entrusted with complex tasks. I knew this personally. From earlier times, it was nice for me to see how he managed in the Secretariat of State, when the Holy Father had entrusted him with the reorganization of the administration, and how he later worked in the Great Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sometimes I asked how he managed to be everywhere, because here you have to do all sorts of work, including pastoral work. I think that Roland was very suited to those duties, the Pope considered him a reliable assistant. Therefore, the news that Francis appointed him a cardinal did not surprise me. It is simply wonderful for me, and I think for all of Lithuania, to know that such a precious basilica, which is the main basilica dedicated to Mary in the world, is currently led by our compatriot, my colleague Rolandas,” Archbishop V. Kulbokas shares his joyful observations. Ambassador to the Holy See and the Order of Malta S. Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė, who has known Archbishop R. Makrickas since his studies, says: “Rolandas Makrickas is truly a person who can be called a man of the Church. This saying was used by priest Vaclovas Aliulis, sometimes Cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis: A man of the Church. At first, I didn't really understand what it meant. Later, I realized that this is a person who is characterized by reckless loyalty, the slightest arrogance, discreet, modest behavior. That such a person is like a soldier. Diplomats, military personnel, bishops sometimes have such an attitude when you see a real person: completely honest, simple, quiet, but of infinite firmness. Not distracting, not causing a splash with assessments, not playing with black and white. Not having any mask. You just see such firmness. That virtue is platonic - that is the most appropriate word. A person of the Church, who is characterized by love, care, and attention for his neighbor - this is our cardinal of today. " More: https://www.bernardinai.lt/baznycios-.... ►SUBSCRIBE to the channel: @bernardinai_lt ►Follow us: Facebook: / bernardinai.lt Instagram: / bernardinai.lt #CardinalLithuania #RolandasMakrickas #LithuanianCardinal #Catholicism #Vatican #BernardinaiLT #Church #Faith #LithuanianVatican