He studied literature and philosophy at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Milan and received a degree in 1985.

[4] In 2013, Mauro resigned from Il Popolo della Libertà and joined Civic Choice (SC).

He was elected senator on With Monti for Italy's lists, a coalition between Civic Choice, Union of the Centre and Future and Freedom.

On 28 April 2013, Mauro was sworn in as defense minister in the grand coalition cabinet of Enrico Letta.

[8] After internal rifts inside the Civic Choice party, Mauro left it in November 2013 and launched the new Populars for Italy.