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Pope Leo XIV Appoints Cardinal Gambetti to Lead Chieti-Vasto Archdiocese
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Italian Cardinal Mauro Gambetti to lead the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto, the Vatican announced on Oct. 3. Gambetti will succeed Archbishop Bruno Forte, who has served there since 2004.
Gambetti, who has served as archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica since 2021, will leave his post to take over the Chieti-Vasto archdiocese.
Forte expressed his intention to retire to Naples, his hometown, where he will pray for Gambetti and the Church.
Cardinal Gambetti, born in Castel San Pietro Terme, Italy, took his final vows with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood in January 1999.
Pope Francis named Gambetti a cardinal in 2020, and he was consecrated a bishop the same year.
The Vatican also announced on Oct. 15 that Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, to the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.
The commission, which serves as the legislative body of Vatican City State, also saw the appointment of Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general for the Diocese of Rome.
Pope Leo XIV renewed the mandates of several existing members of the commission, including Cardinals Kevin Farrell, Arthur Roche, Lazarus You Heung-sik, and Claudio Gugerotti.
However, the membership of Cardinals Leonardo Sandri and Mauro Gambetti was not extended for the new term.
Gambetti’s transition to the Chieti-Vasto archdiocese marks a significant shift in his career, moving from his role as archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica to a new pastoral role in central Italy.
What this adds
The appointment of Cardinal Gambetti to the Chieti-Vasto archdiocese underscores the Vatican's focus on pastoral leadership and evangelization efforts in Italy.
Background
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Romanian diplomat Monsignor Paul Butnaru as the Holy See's new permanent observer to the Council of Europe, a role that underscores the Vatican's commitment to human rights and migrant issues.
What's confirmed
- Gambetti, who has served as archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica since 2021, will leave his post to take over the Chieti-Vasto archdiocese.
- Forte expressed his intention to retire to Naples, his hometown, where he will pray for Gambetti and the Church.
- Cardinal Gambetti, born in Castel San Pietro Terme, Italy, took his final vows with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood in January 1999.
- Pope Francis named Gambetti a cardinal in 2020, and he was consecrated a bishop the same year.
- The Vatican also announced on Oct. 15 that Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, to the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.
- The commission, which serves as the legislative body of Vatican City State, also saw the appointment of Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general for the Diocese of Rome.
- Pope Leo XIV renewed the mandates of several existing members of the commission, including Cardinals Kevin Farrell, Arthur Roche, Lazarus You Heung-sik, and Claudio Gugerotti.
- However, the membership of Cardinals Leonardo Sandri and Mauro Gambetti was not extended for the new term.
- Gambetti’s transition to the Chieti-Vasto archdiocese marks a significant shift in his career, moving from his role as archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica to a new pastoral role in central Italy.
What's still developing
- “I am certain that [Gambetti] — rich in both academic background and pastoral experience — will give new impetus to the care of the faithful and the work of evangelization, efforts that have been sustained in recent years through the collaboration of so many,” Forte said.