Cardinal Gambetti became archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2021 and has completed his five-year term.
He could have been reappointed.
He could have been assigned to another position in the Vatican, but he hasn’t.
He is being sent to lead the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto, a minor diocese that has been led by Archbishop Bruno Forte since 2004.
It’s ironic to think that Archbishop Forte seemed, at the beginning of Pope Francis’ pontificate, a rising star, special secretary of the Synod on the Family and author, among other things, of a controversial text during the 2014 synod session that opened the door to welcoming homosexuals.
Archbishop Forte represented the synod according to Pope Francis, and 12 years ago, a brilliant career was envisioned, with a cardinalate just around the corner.
Archbishop Forte, however, was also reckless enough to reveal behind-the-scenes details of the synod that, among other things, highlighted a certain cunning on the part of Pope Francis. So he remained in Chieti-Vasto, no longer holding any leading roles, at the age of 77.
Taking his place is one of the cardinals who, more than any other, has embodied Pope Francis’ modus gubernandi (“mode of governance”).
Cardinal Gambetti was created a cardinal in the 2020 consistory, but held no office until February 2021, when he became archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, replacing Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
Under Cardinal Gambetti, St. Peter’s Basilica stopped hosting multiple Masses. Instead, concelebration of communal Masses was encouraged.
Access to the basilica was divided between pilgrims and tourists. In addition to those employed by the Vatican, various consultants were also hired, including those from the Fabbrica di San Pietro — the Fabric of St. Peter.
After five years as archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, and six as a cardinal, it was fairly obvious that Cardinal Gambetti would be appointed to a new post, though it was anything but given that he would go to lead a peripheral diocese in central Italy, one without much influence even within the Italian Episcopal Conference.
It is an assignment that does not feel like a promotion, even if it doesn’t look exactly like a punishment.
Cardinal Gambetti’s appointment to Chieti-Vasto was announced on Oct. 3, but on the morning of Oct. 2, he made the announcement to the Chapter of St. Peter’s — those responsible for the liturgical and sacramental activities of the basilica.
This was an unusual gesture, demonstrating that very little of Cardinal Gambetti’s tenure was truly ordinary.
Leo XIV also called a meeting of the Chapter of St. Peter’s and members of the Fabric of St. Peter on Nov. 30. This too is unusual and perhaps heralds new appointments or a new structure for St. Peter’s Basilica and the Fabric of St. Peter, with all its patrimony.
It is however striking that the Pope did not immediately appoint Cardinal Gambetti’s successor as head of St. Peter’s Basilica.
It seems that, before naming a successor, the Pope wants the finances of the basilica, the chapter and the Fabric of St. Peter to undergo a review.
As for the basilica’s new archpriest and vicar of the Pope for the Vatican City State, Bishop Corrado Sanguineti of Pavia is rumored as a possible pick, along with former master of ceremonies Bishop Guido Marini, now leading the Diocese of Tortona. However, the appointment will take time.
It seems Leo is reforming one of the most controversial administrations of the final years of Francis’ pontificate. Cardinal Gambetti’s successor could mark the beginning of a new chapter and, likely, a turning point in the Leonine pontificate.
A Changing of the Guard?
The Pope must consider replacing several heads of dicasteries who are over 75 and approaching retirement age, including those — like Cardinal Gambetti — who had been granted some authority under Francis when it came to the liturgy.
One of the key dicasteries is the Dicastery for Divine Worship, led by Cardinal Arthur Roche, now 76. As secretary and then prefect of the dicastery, Cardinal Roche strengthened and supported Pope Francis’ “battle” against the traditionalist world. Leo’s choice to replace him will therefore carry ideological weight.
Cardinal Roche’s deputy is Archbishop Vittorio Viola, another prelate considered an enemy of liturgical tradition, although in the Diocese of Tortona, where he came from, he distinguished himself with particular attention to the liturgy.
Both Cardinal Roche and Archbishop Viola are rumored to be leaving.
Cardinal Roche could be replaced by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, currently master of papal ceremonies, but this candidacy appears to have failed to warm hearts. Archbishop Ravelli, however, is invariably among those earmarked for a new post, as Leo may want another master of ceremonies alongside him.
Perhaps Archbishop Ravelli is more likely to be appointed secretary of the dicastery, while Archbishop Viola seems destined for promotion to cardinalate, namely, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The current prefect, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, is 78 and will soon retire.
It’s unclear who the new prefect of liturgy will be, and Leo XIV has been very good at shuffling the deck so far.
The prefects Leo has chosen so far are of two types: The clergy are generally hardworking, modest and not necessarily charismatic, but recognized as honest; the laypeople have so far been all women, from Sister Alessandra Smerilli to EWTN News President and COO Maria Montserrat Alvarado, who will begin her post as prefect of the Dicastery for Communication in November.
Will the new prefect finally usher in liturgical peace?
This is the hope, given that the rift between the traditionalist world and the Holy See is now more open than ever, following the schism of the Lefebvrians, who consecrated new bishops without papal mandate.
In any case, there is no talk, however, of a change at the top of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, where Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández still has two years left in his mandate.
Leo XIV does not appear to want to implement a radical spoils system, but rather to act when the terms of the appointments of the previous pontificate expire.
One exception to this reasoning concerns the Secretariat of State.
Rumors suggest that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is ready to step down to become grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
Cardinal Parolin will turn 72 next January, with three years left until his retirement, but he has served as secretary of state for more than two five-year terms. These are, however, just rumors.
For now, Cardinal Parolin seems firmly in place.
Personal Papal Stamp
Cardinal Gambetti’s departure, however, marks the moment when Leo XIV begins to assemble his team and put his own personal stamp on the pontificate.
Pope Francis left many issues unresolved, and for now, Leo XIV has focused primarily on ecclesiastical matters. On the economic front, he has favored continuity, both in appointing Cardinal Reinhard Marx to a third term as president of the Council for the Economy and in appointing François Pauly as president of the Board of Superintendence of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), often referred to as the Vatican bank, after Jean-Baptiste Douville de Franssu.
In terms of Leo’s picks, for ecclesiastical ministries, he has maintained low-profile selections, seeking normality. For the more operational ministries, such as communications, he has sought more operational and managerial profiles.
These trends don’t fully reflect the character of the pontificate but only reveal a Pope who is trying to make prudent decisions.
He’s not Francis 2.0 or a second Francis. This is a Pope with his own characteristics, who has nothing against the previous pontificate, but who is, nevertheless, seeking his own dimension in governing the Church.
He can’t be defined as progressive or conservative.
He is, simply, Leo.
It’s a personal synthesis that will include actions such as removing the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, or inaction in other situations.
It’s not surprising. It’s just a slow transition.