Mauro Gambetti was born in Castel San Pietro Terme, near Bologna, on 27 October 1965, and first trained as a mechanical engineer at the University of Bologna. He then entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, professing temporary vows on 29 August 1995 and perpetual vows on 20 September 1998. After theology at Assisi and a licentiate in theological anthropology in Florence, he was ordained a priest on 8 January 2000 in Longiano, where he ran youth and vocations ministry for Emilia-Romagna and, from 2005 to 2009, was Guardian of his community.
His confreres elected him Provincial Minister in 2009; in 2013 he became Custos General of the Sacred Convent of St Francis in Assisi, a post he held until 31 October 2020, alongside service as episcopal vicar for the Basilica of St Francis. Pope Francis's announcement in October 2020 made him the first Conventual Franciscan cardinal since 1861. Consecrated a bishop in Assisi on 22 November 2020, he was created cardinal on 28 November 2020, and on 20 February 2021 became Archpriest of St Peter's Basilica, Vicar General for Vatican City and President of the Fabric of St Peter.
At St Peter's he led the penitential rite after the basilica's high altar was desecrated in June 2023 and fronted the 'Beyond the Visible' digital-twin project for the basilica's 400th anniversary. On 3 October 2026 Pope Leo XIV appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, transferring him from his Vatican City offices.
Consequential Quotes
This structure of sin is the one that feeds the wars, the one that inhabits our society.
We are here to tell the Lord that we recognize that this structure of sin conditions the actions of God's people. Lord, we ask your forgiveness, purify us.
The world too often betrays us, hands us over, for some profit, economic or power-based.
The only thing that interests him is love. This is the only priesthood. He washes feet, even Judas' feet. He washes my feet. He washes your feet.
Today, Pope Leo can renew without demolishing, thinking serenely about this basilica, which pilgrims and visitors will be able to experience for the next four millennia.
Major Works & Initiatives
Custos General of the Sacred Convent of St Francis, Assisi
Custodian of the Sacro Convento and the Basilica of St Francis, reconfirmed for a second term in 2017.
Chair, Fratelli Tutti Vatican Foundation
Named chair of the foundation created in December 2021, at his suggestion, to extend the work of the Fabric of St Peter.
Archpriest of St Peter's Basilica and President of the Fabric of St Peter
Responsible for the basilica's liturgical life and its fabric, including preparations for the 400th anniversary of its consecration.
'Beyond the Visible' — digital twin of St Peter's Basilica
Presented the Fabric's partnership with Eni creating a 3D digital twin of the basilica for structural monitoring and pilgrim access.
Controversies
End of private Masses at St Peter's side altars (2021)
On 12 March 2021, shortly after Gambetti became archpriest, a Secretariat of State directive ended the private celebration of Mass at St Peter's side altars and restricted celebrations with the 1962 Missal to the Clementine Chapel in the crypt. Critics, especially among traditionalist Catholics, objected that priests and pilgrims were losing a long-standing practice and that the older liturgy was being pushed underground. Defenders noted the directive came from the Secretariat of State rather than from Gambetti personally, and Gambetti later wrote that individual Mass requests would be discerned case by case and that 'everything should take place in an atmosphere of recollection and decorum.' The episode remains contested.
Reading of the 2026 transfer to Chieti-Vasto
Some commentators read Pope Leo XIV's October 2026 appointment of Gambetti to Chieti-Vasto as a demotion or removal from the Vatican. That reading is contested: on the official record it is an appointment as metropolitan archbishop succeeding Bruno Forte, who had resigned on reaching the age limit at 77, and Forte publicly called the appointment 'a special sign of the Lord's benevolence' and said he was certain Gambetti would give new impetus to the archdiocese. No Vatican statement characterises the move as a sanction.