Gherardo Gambelli

Gambelli's first pastoral assignment was as parish vicar of the Chiesa di Santo Stefano in Pane [it] in the district of Rifredi. After four years as an assistant priest, he undertook studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, graduating with a licentiate in biblical theology in 2000. He then served as the administrator of the Pieve di Sant'Andrea in Cercina until 2006,^[1] while also teaching as a visiting professor at the Major Seminary of N'Djamena in Chad from 2001 to 2006.^[4]

After being awarded a doctorate from the Theological Faculty of Central Italy in 2007, Gambelli became a full-fledged pastor of Immacolata e San Martino in Montughi.^[1] He served in that capacity for four years before being sent as a missionary priest to the Archdiocese of N'Djaména in Chad in 2011.^[1][5] There, he served as parish priest of Sainte Joséphine Bakhita, was in charge of vocational pastoral care, and taught at the national minor seminary. Gambelli became rector of the Cathédrale Saint-Ignace in the neighbouring Apostolic Vicariate of Mongo in 2018, before being appointed vicar general of the vicariate following year. His years in Chad included two stints as a prison chaplain, from 2011 to 2017 at N'Djaména prison and from 2018 to 2022 at the prison in the Mongo Vicariate.^[1]

Upon his return to Italy in 2023, Gambelli became pastor of Madonna della Tosse.^[1][5]

He was also assistant spiritual director of the seminary and a prison chaplain.^[6]

Gambelli was appointed Archbishop of Florence on 18 April 2024.^[1] His appointment was described by Il Messaggero as part of a pattern in which Pope Francis chooses dark horse candidates with experience in parish and missionary work for important sees.^[5] Avvenire referred to him as "the priest of the peripheries, from Africa to prison".^[6]

Gambelli was consecrated and installed on 24 June 2024.^[6]