Pope Leo XIV has appointed Italian Cardinal Mauro Gambetti to serve as the archbishop of Chieti-Vasto in Italy, the Vatican announced Oct. 3.
Gambetti will leave his post as the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he has served for the past five years after being appointed by Pope Francis in 2021.
He will take over the position in Chieti-Vasto from current Archbishop Bruno Forte, who has served there since 2004. Forte turned 77 in August, making him two years past the customary retirement age for prelates.
In a statement after the announcement, Forte described Gambetti’s appointment as “a special sign of the Lord’s benevolence.”
“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.
The outgoing archbishop said he would retire to Naples, Italy, his hometown, where he would pray for both Gambetti and the Church.
Born in Castel San Pietro Terme, Italy, Gambetti took his final vows with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 8, 2000.
He has served various leadership roles in his order in Italy and also served as the episcopal vicar of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Umbria.
Pope Francis named him a cardinal in 2020; he was consecrated a bishop the same year. The late Holy Father also named him a member of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State in 2021.
