The Chapter of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, for several centuries, has safeguarded the venerated effigy of the Salus Populi Romani and the illustrious relic of the Holy Cradle, takes care of the decorum of the liturgical celebrations of the Liberian Temple and welcomes the faithful who gather there.

On 14 December 2021, I entrusted an Extraordinary Commissioner, assisted by a special Commission, with the task of providing for the reorganization of the life of the Chapter and the Basilica, for the greater good of the people of God.

Today, at the end of the Committee’s work, I consider it opportune to free the Canons from all economic and administrative duties, so that they may dedicate themselves, fully and with renewed vigour, to the spiritual and pastoral accompaniment that pilgrims from all over the world seek and wish to find when they cross the threshold of the first Marian Shrine in the West.

For this reason, taking inspiration from the Principles and Criteria of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, a new Statute has been drafted and new Regulations have been prepared for the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, which, as set forth below, I hereby approve.

At the same time, I confer on His Reverend Excellency Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, all the faculties necessary for the moderation and application of the new Regulations and for the government of the Chapter. Furthermore, I dispose that he shall continue to exercise the Legal Representation of the Chapter, and that he shall maintain, until the Board of Directors takes office, the power to perform acts of ordinary and extraordinary administration. Finally, I attribute to him the duties pertaining to the vicar of the archpriest, the delegate for pastoral care and the delegate for administration, until their respective appointments.

All that I have established herein is in full and stable force, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, even if worthy of special mention. It will come into effect upon publication in L’Osservatore Romano and will subsequently be inserted in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.

Given at Rome, at Saint John Lateran, on 19 March 2024, the twelfth year of my Pontificate.

FRANCIS

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• Rescriptum Ex Audientia SS.mi 
• Statute of the Chapter and the Canons of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major 
• Regulations of the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 20 March 2024