Fabric of Saint Peter
The Fabric of Saint Peter (Latin: Reverenda Fabrica Sancti Petri, Italian: Fabbrica di San Pietro) is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church responsible for the conservation and maintenance of St. Peter's Basilica and exercising vigilance over its sacred character and the organization of visitors. While it is not part of the Roman Curia, the 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate evangelium recognized it as "associated with the Holy See."[1] The Fabric has existed under various names and varying responsibilities since 1523, when Pope Clement VII established a commission to build and administer the Basilica.
On 29 June 2020, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Mario Giordana, a veteran papal diplomat, to lead a commission to reform the Fabric's administration. As Extraordinary Commissioner he is to "modernize and reorganize ... administrative and technical offices, improve transparency, and update the statutes" of the Fabric.[2][3]
In January 2023, the death of Monsignor Michele Basso, a canon of the basilica, attracted media attention to the art collection he had bequeathed to the Fabric of Saint Peter. The collection remained in storage beneath the dome of the basilica. The press questioned the provenance and value of the artworks, of which little is known.[4][5]
Presidents
The archpriest of the Basilica is customarily the president of the Fabric.
- Paolo Marella (14 August 1961 - 8 February 1983)[6]
- Aurelio Sabattani (8 February 1983[6] - 1 July 1991)[7]
- Virgilio Noè (1 July 1991[7] - 24 April 2002)[8]
- Francesco Marchisano (24 April 2002[8] - 5 February 2005)[9]
- Angelo Comastri (5 February 2005[9] - 20 February 2021)
- Mauro Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv. (20 February 2021 – present)
Architects
- Andrea Busiri Vici (1818 - 1911), papal architect
References
- ^ Pope Francis (19 March 2022). "Praedicate Evangelium, sulla Curia Romana e il suo servizio alla Chiesa nel Mondo". The Holy See. Article 244. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Holy See Press Office Communiqué, 30.06.2020" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ O'Connell, Gerard (1 July 2020). "Vatican prosecutors investigate administration of St. Peter's Basilica complex". America. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Vatican monsignor dies, leaving behind mysterious art collection". Crux. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Vaticano, muore il preto del mistero: trenta casse di opere d'arte nascoste nella cupola di San Pietro. Chi era Don Michele Basso". Il Messaggero (in Italian). 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXV. 1983. p. 342. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ a b Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXXIII. 1991. p. 631.
- ^ a b "Rinunce e Nomine, 24.04.2002" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 24 April 2002. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Rinunce e Nomine, 05.02.2005" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 5 February 2005. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- Additional sources
- Brockhaus, Hannah (28 August 2021). "Pope Francis makes changes to the Vatican's Chapter of St. Peter". Catholic News Agency.
- "Transitory provisions relating to the Chapter of Saint Peter in the Vatican, 28.08.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 28 August 2021.
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