Thursday 18 April 2024 – 6.30pm
A missionary priest will be the new archbishop of Florence: Pope Francis has chosen Don Gherardo Gambelli as heir of Monsignor Giuseppe Betori. The announcement at 12.07 was made by Betori himself from the tribune of the cross in the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, in the presence of Gambelli himself.
Twelve years on mission in Chad, Don Gambelli is currently parish priest in Florence where he took office in September 2023 at the helm of the parish of the Madonna della Tosse in place of Don Giacomo Stinghi, a priest who is a symbol of the fight against drug addiction. Originally from Castelfiorentino in the Empoli area, Don Gambelli is 54 years old and is also a chaplain in the Florentine prison of Sollicciano.
Monsignor Betori ruled the Florentine diocese for 15 years. His resignation was accepted by Pope Francis, and today here is his successor. Betori will remain in Florence as bishop emeritus. Now we are waiting for Don Gambelli’s ordination as bishop, which will take place on June 24th, coinciding with the anniversary of Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence. Then the passage of the pastoral staff.
Tags: missionary priest archbishop Florence
