Pope Leo XIV Appoints Cardinal Gambetti to Lead Chieti-Vasto Archdiocese
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti leaves St. Peter's Basilica after five years to become archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, succeeding Archbishop Bruno Forte, who has led the diocese since 2004.
Pope Leo XIV has named Cardinal Mauro Gambetti as the new archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, transferring the Italian prelate from his role as archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican announced on Oct. 3. The appointment marks a significant shift for one of the Vatican's most visible figures, who has overseen the papal basilica for the past five years.
Gambetti, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, was appointed to St. Peter's by Pope Francis in 2021. He now takes over the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto from Archbishop Bruno Forte, who has led the local church since 2004. Forte turned 77 in August, placing him two years beyond the customary retirement age for bishops, which is 75.
In a statement following the announcement, Forte described Gambetti's appointment as «a special sign of the Lord's benevolence.» He expressed confidence that Gambetti, «rich in both academic background and pastoral experience,» will bring «new impetus to the care of the faithful and the work of evangelization.» Forte said he would retire to Naples, his hometown, where he will pray for Gambetti and for the Church.
Born in Castel San Pietro Terme, Italy, Gambetti took his final vows with the Conventual Franciscans in 1998 and was ordained a priest on Jan. 8, 2000. He has held various leadership roles within his order in Italy and served as episcopal vicar of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Umbria. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in 2020, the same year he was consecrated a bishop. In 2021, Francis also appointed him a member of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.
The move places Gambetti at the head of a historic Italian diocese while ending his tenure at the heart of Vatican life. As archpriest of St. Peter's, he was responsible for the pastoral care of the basilica and its vast community of pilgrims and tourists, as well as for the conservation and maintenance of one of Christianity's most important sites. His departure opens the question of who will next oversee the basilica, a role that carries significant symbolic weight in the universal Church.
For the faithful of Chieti-Vasto, Gambetti's arrival signals a new chapter after two decades under Forte, a noted theologian and author. Forte's retirement brings to a close a long episcopate that spanned the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. His decision to return to Naples, where he was born, reflects the traditional practice of retired bishops withdrawing from active governance to a life of prayer and service.
Gambetti's background blends academic formation with pastoral experience in some of Italy's most revered shrines. His time at Assisi, the spiritual home of the Franciscan movement, and his leadership within the Conventual order have prepared him for the demands of a diocesan see. The appointment also highlights Pope Leo XIV's early approach to filling key Italian posts, drawing on experienced figures already known in Rome.
The Vatican did not announce a successor for Gambetti at St. Peter's Basilica. The timing of his installation in Chieti-Vasto has not yet been made public. The archdiocese, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, includes the cities of Chieti and Vasto and serves a Catholic population of several hundred thousand. Its new archbishop will be responsible for guiding parishes, clergy, and lay faithful in a region with a deep religious heritage.
3
