The Fabric of Saint Peter (Latin: Reverenda Fabrica Sancti Petri, Italian: Fabbrica di San Pietro) is a Catholic institution responsible for the conservation and maintenance of St. Peter's Basilica and exercising vigilance over its sacred character and the organization of visitors.
"[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.