Pope heads back to his summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo
In a significant move that harks back to a centuries-old tradition, Pope Leo XIV has decided to reside at Castel Gandolfo, a picturesque town south of Rome, during his papacy. This decision marks a return to the papal custom of using the estate as a summer retreat, a practice that was suspended by his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis.
Castel Gandolfo, home to approximately 9,000 inhabitants, is situated on a 135-acre property overlooking Lake Albano, about 15 miles southeast of Rome. The town has been valued for its cooler climate and serene environment, providing popes with a much-needed respite from the heat of Rome.
Historically, the Castel Gandolfo estate has been a place of rest, prayer, and study for several popes, including Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI. The Apostolic Palace, an architectural and historical landmark, has housed popes through numerous historical events.
Pope Leo XIV's decision to return to Castel Gandolfo has a positive impact on the local town and businesses. The pope's presence after more than a decade has generated renewed interest and hope among local residents, business owners, and municipal officials. Tourists who visit Castel Gandolfo often seek to experience the papal tradition and possibly catch a glimpse of the pope, which helps stimulate local commerce, including shops, restaurants, and hospitality services.
Moreover, the return of the pope is seen as a restoration of the town’s historical identity as a papal retreat. The mayor and townspeople speak of the pope’s presence as the “heart of the city” returning, symbolizing a renewed closeness between the papacy and the local community. It brings a pastoral and human dimension back to the town, which had been somewhat diminished while the estate functioned primarily as a museum under Pope Francis.
While the Apostolic Palace remains partly a museum, Pope Leo XIV will stay in a different Vatican-owned residence within the Castel Gandolfo complex. This arrangement maintains public accessibility for tourists while respecting the privacy and security needed for the pope’s residence, supporting both cultural heritage preservation and community engagement.
Pope Leo XIV's choice to reside at Castel Gandolfo also includes the use of traditional papal attire, marking a symbolic embrace of continuity and history within the papacy. The pope will celebrate Mass in the parish church in Castel Gandolfo and plans to spend the Maria Himmelfahrt weekend there. He has even had a tennis court built at the estate for his leisure.
It is worth noting that Pope Francis, the immediate predecessor of Pope Leo XIV, did not reside in Castel Gandolfo during his papacy. Instead, he spent his summers in the Vatican, in his apartment in the Santa Marta guesthouse. Pope Francis never took vacations as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and preferred to rest at home.
The papal palace in Castel Gandolfo has belonged to the Vatican since 1596 and has ten hectares of grounds, larger than Vatican City. The decision about the future visits of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo lies with Pope Leo XIV. He has only given one, unremarkable interview so far.
Pope Benedict XVI, the pope before Pope Francis, passed away on New Year's Eve 2022. Pope Leo XIV is the first pope to reside in Castel Gandolfo since Pope Benedict XVI. There was some discontent with Pope Francis in the Curia, the power apparatus of the Church.
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV's decision to reside at Castel Gandolfo revives an important papal tradition that strengthens the historical and spiritual bonds between the Vatican and this lakeside town. It has a positive impact on local businesses through increased tourism and fosters a renewed sense of community pride and pastoral connection.
Castel Gandolfo, with its proximity to papal history, has become a hub for entertainment surrounding pop-culture, as the return of the pope has generated interest among tourists who seek to experience the traditional papal retreat. The presence of celebrities, such as Pope Leo XIV, adds an enticing layer to the town's rich cultural landscape, magnifying the perceived value of pop-culture in this centuries-old setting.
