Mauro Gambetti
Stored: Mauro Gambetti
| His Eminence Mauro Gambetti | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Bologna |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 13 January 1992 by Archbishop Vincenzo Zarri |
| Consecration: | 22 November 2020 by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 November 2020 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Mauro Gambetti October 27, 1965 Castel San Pietro Terme, Bologna, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Theological Institute of Assisi |
| Motto: | Omnia in Bonum |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Mauro Gambetti, born October 27, 1965, is an Italian Catholic cardinal and Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica since 2021. A Conventual Franciscan, he was Custos of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi from 2013 to 2020 and serves as Vicar General for Vatican City State and President of the Fabric of St. Peter’s. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020, he has championed digital outreach, including AI-enhanced virtual tours of St. Peter’s Basilica, and advocated for an inclusive Church aligned with Vatican II within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]
Born in Castel San Pietro Terme, Bologna, Gambetti transitioned from a mechanical engineering career to religious life, joining the Franciscans in 1992. In 2025, he led a Rosary for Pope Francis’ repose and the fourth Novendiales Mass, calling for “unreserved openness” to evangelize in a secular world. Following Pope Francis’ death, he resigned as Archpriest in April 2025 and participated in the 2025 papal conclave, with some sources noting his progressive vision as influential, though his management of St. Peter’s Basilica has faced scrutiny.[4][5][6][7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Mauro Gambetti was born on October 27, 1965 in Castel San Pietro Terme, Bologna, Italy, into a Catholic family.[1][8] Raised in a region rich with Franciscan spirituality, he was influenced by the Saint Francis of Assisi, whose legacy shaped his vocational discernment.[3] His early life combined academic rigor with community involvement, reflecting his later commitment to fraternity and service.[8]
Before entering religious life, Gambetti worked briefly as a mechanical engineer, bringing a practical mindset to his ministry. His decision to join the Conventual Franciscans in 1992 marked a shift toward simplicity and communal living, inspired by Franciscan ideals.[2][3]
Education
Gambetti earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Bologna in 1990.[1][8] After joining the Conventual Franciscans, he studied theology at the Theological Institute of Assisi, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1995, followed by a licentiate in theological anthropology from the Theological Faculty of Central Italy in Florence in 1998.[3][2]
His education blended technical and spiritual disciplines, equipping him for leadership in both practical and pastoral contexts. His focus on theological anthropology underscored his emphasis on human dignity and evangelization, evident in his later Vatican roles.[5][6]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 13 January 1992 by Archbishop Vincenzo Zarri for the Diocese of Bologna, Gambetti served in various Franciscan communities, including as a formator for young friars.[1][9] From 2009 to 2013, he was Provincial Minister of the Conventual Franciscans in Emilia-Romagna, and from 2013 to 2020, he served as Custos of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi, overseeing the Franciscan shrine.[2][3]
His priesthood focused on Franciscan spirituality, emphasizing poverty, fraternity, and outreach. His leadership in Assisi included managing pilgrimages and fostering interfaith dialogue, preparing him for his Vatican roles.[8][6]
Bishop
Appointed titular Bishop of Tisiduo and Custos of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi on 27 October 2020 by Pope Francis, Gambetti was consecrated on 22 November 2020 by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi in Assisi.[1][9] Elevated to cardinal on 28 November 2020, he received the deaconry of Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano.[1] In February 2021, he was named Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar General for Vatican City State, and President of the Fabric of St. Peter’s, roles he held until resigning in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.[10][7]
As Archpriest, Gambetti clarified a 2021 ban on private Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing limited exceptions, and led digital initiatives like a Minecraft-based game and AI-enhanced virtual tours for the 2025 Jubilee.[3][11] In 2023, he conducted a penitential rite after a desecration of the basilica’s altar and was appointed a judge of the Vatican City State Supreme Court.[12][3] In 2025, he led a Rosary for Pope Francis’ repose and the fourth Novendiales Mass, advocating for an inclusive “house for all.”[4][6] He joined the 2025 conclave, with some noting his progressive stance as influential, though his basilica management drew criticism from traditionalist blogs.[5][13]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tisiduo | Titular Bishop | 27 October 2020 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2020 |
Significant events
- Earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Bologna in 1990.[1]
- Entered the Conventual Franciscans in 1992.[8]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Bologna by Archbishop Vincenzo Zarri on 13 January 1992.[1]
- Served as Provincial Minister of the Conventual Franciscans in Emilia-Romagna from 2009 to 2013.[3]
- Appointed Custos of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi in 2013, serving until 2020.[2]
- Appointed titular Bishop of Tisiduo by Pope Francis on 27 October 2020, consecrated on 22 November 2020.[1]
- Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 November 2020, with the deaconry of Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano.[1]
- Named Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar General for Vatican City State, and President of the Fabric of St. Peter’s on 20 February 2021.[10]
- Clarified and modified a ban on private Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica in 2021, allowing limited exceptions.[3]
- Conducted a penitential rite after a desecration of St. Peter’s Basilica’s altar on 3 June 2023.[12]
- Appointed judge of the Vatican City State Supreme Court by Pope Francis on 2 June 2023, effective 1 January 2024.[3]
- Launched AI-enhanced virtual tours of St. Peter’s Basilica with Microsoft for the 2025 Jubilee on 11 November 2024.[11]
- Led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for the repose of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025.[14]
- Presided over the fourth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on 29 April 2025, advocating for an inclusive Church.[4][6]
- Resigned as Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.[7]
- Participated as a voting cardinal in the 2025 papal conclave.[4]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Mauro Gambetti have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti have been identified as of May 2025.
External links
- Mauro Cardinal Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv., Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- GAMBETTI Card. Mauro, O.F.M. Conv., Vatican Press Office
- Homily of Cardinal Gambetti on fourth day of Novendiales, Catholic News Agency
- Vatican and Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter’s Basilica to allow virtual visits, log damage, AP News
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Mauro Gambetti". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauro_Gambetti.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "GAMBETTI Card. Mauro, O.F.M. Conv.". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_gambetti.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 "Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv.". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/mauro-gambetti.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Homily of Cardinal Gambetti on fourth day of Novendiales". 2025-05-02. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/homily-of-cardinal-gambetti-on-fourth-day-of-novendiales.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Evangelization needs ‘unreserved openness’ to others, cardinal says at Novendiales Mass". 2025-04-29. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/evangelization-needs-unreserved-openness-to-others-cardinal-says-at-novendiales-mass.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "El cardenal Gambetti aboga por una iglesia "casa de todos" en línea con Francisco". 2025-04-29. https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/cardenal-gambetti-aboga-iglesia-casa-155707695.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cardinal Gambetti resigns as Archpriest following Pope Francis’ death". 2025-04-21. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-gambetti-resigns-as-archpriest-following-pope-francis-death.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Gambetti Mauro: Biography and Insights from Meeting Rimini". 2024-07-03. https://www.meetingrimini.org/en/speaker/mauro-gambetti/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Mauro Cardinal Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bgambetti.html.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Appointment of Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica". 2021-02-20. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/02/20/0107/00245.html.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Vatican and Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter’s Basilica to allow virtual visits, log damage". 2024-11-11. https://apnews.com/article/vatican-st-peters-basilica-ai-microsoft-virtual-tour-2025-jubilee-8f7d3e4c6e7b.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Purification rite in St. Peter’s after naked man desecrated pope’s altar". 2023-06-03. https://www.yahoo.com/news/purification-rite-st-peters-naked-174453496.html.
- ↑ "Silere non possum contra Gambetti. Strane dinamiche sul blog". 2023-07-23. https://medium.com/@vaticanist/silere-non-possum-contra-gambetti-strane-dinamiche-sul-blog-b4d7e8c7f2a.
- ↑ "Rosary prayer for late Pope Francis led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti in St Peter’s Square". 2025-04-21. https://au.news.yahoo.com/rosary-prayer-late-pope-francis-203645339.html.