On Saturday, February 20, 2021, the Holy See announced that our confrere, Friar Mauro Cardinal GAMBETTI, has been appointed Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican and President of the Fabric of St. Peter.

Even before that, on December 16, 2020, Pope Francis had already listed him among the members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Cardinal GAMBETTI’s assignments concern the management of the Vicariate of Vatican City and the Papal Basilica of St. Peter (namely, heading the Chapter of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Fabric of St. Peter). The Vicar General deals with the spiritual care of the faithful who reside in the portion of the Diocese of Rome that falls within the boundaries of Vatican City. He also carries out the spiritual care of the churches and chapels existing within the territory of Vatican City. The Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica (namely, the President of the Chapter of St. Peter’s Basilica) is the person most responsible for the basilica’s worship and pastoral activities. The President of the Fabric of St. Peter takes care of everything necessary for the maintenance, restoration and decoration of the building, as well as the internal management and regulations concerning the basilica’s pilgrims and security personnel.
Mauro Cardinal GAMBETTI is the first Conventual Franciscan friar to be made a cardinal in 159 years. He was born on October 27, 1965, in Castel San Pietro Terme, Italy. In 1992, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He made his solemn vows on September 20, 1998, and was ordained to the priesthood on January 8, 2000. In 2009, he was elected Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony of Padua in Bologna, which later joined with the Province of Padua, becoming today’s Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy). On February 22, 2013, he was appointed Custos of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Italy (Assisi). In 2017, he was elected President of the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP). On November 22, 2020, he was ordained a bishop, choosing for his episcopal motto the words, Omnibus subiecti in Caritate [Be Subject to All in Charity]. On November 28, 2020, Pope Francis created him a cardinal and assigned him the Diaconate of the Most Holy Name of Mary at the Trajan Forum in Rome.

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