Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv., Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter’s, was born on 27 October 1965 in Castel San Pietro Terme, Bologna.  After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Bologna, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.  After a year of novitiate, he professed his temporary vows on 29 August 1995, and his perpetual vows on 20 September 1998.  Receiving his bachelor’s degree in theology from the Theological Institute of Assisi, Perugia, he subsequently earned a licentiate in theological anthropology from the Theological Faculty of Central Italy in Florence.

He was ordained a priest on 8 January in Longiano, Forlì-Cesena, where in the Convent of the Santissimo Crocifisso he headed the office of youth ministry and vocational pastoral care for the region of Emilia-Romagna and, from 2005 to 2009, also that of Guardian of the Franciscan community.

In spring 2009 his confreres in the Bologna province of Saint Anthony of Padua, with jurisdiction over the convents of the Friars Minor Conventual of Emilia-Romagna, elected him their Provincial Minister, an office he held until 22 February 2013.  At that time, he was called to assume the role of Custos General of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi for the four-year period 2013-2017.  At the same time, the Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino appointed him as Episcopal Vicar for the pastoral care of the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis and the other places of worship entrusted to the Friars Minor Conventual of the same Diocese.

He was elected President of the Intermediterranean Federation of Provincial Ministers of the Friars Minor Conventual in September 2017.

In 2017 he was reconfirmed as Custos General of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis of Assisi for the four-year term 2017-2021, a role he held until 31 October 2020.

He received episcopal consecrated on 22 November 2020 in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, becoming titular Archbishop of Thisiduo on 30 October 2020.

On 20 February 2021 Holy Father named him Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City State and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter’s.

On 2 June 2023 the Holy Father has appointed the Cardinal Gambetti judge of the Vatican City State Supreme Court, with effect from 1 January 2024.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 28 November 2020, of the Deaconry of Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano.

Member of:

• Dicasteries: for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; for Communication;
• Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.