Pope heads back to summer base at Castel Gandolfo
Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pope in twelve years to take up residence at Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of popes for over four centuries. This picturesque town, situated in the mountains above Lake Albano and a half-hour drive from Rome, offers a cooler and serene environment away from the bustling city during the hottest months of the year.
The Apostolic Palace, built on the site of ancient Roman ruins including Emperor Domitian’s villa, became the official papal summer residence in the 17th century. Popes such as Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI spent their summers there, celebrating Mass, praying the Angelus, and engaging with the local community.
However, unlike his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV will not reside in the Apostolic Palace itself, which remains a museum open to the public since Pope Francis opened its private papal apartments in 2016. Instead, Pope Leo XIV will reside in another Vatican property within Castel Gandolfo, thus maintaining the papal presence in the town while respecting the current museum status of the palace.
The Apostolic Palace's future as a tourist attraction is undecided, with the decision lying with Pope Leo XIV. The director of the Papal Villas, Andrea Tamburelli, has confirmed this. The grounds of Castel Gandolfo, ten hectares larger than Vatican City, provide ample space for Pope Leo XIV's new amenities, including a tennis court and a bocce court.
Pope Leo XIV's programmatic approach so far follows that of his predecessor, but he differs in appearances, such as resuming the tradition of wearing the ornate breast cross and driving larger cars. He is also expected to use Castel Gandolfo as his accommodation from next summer, like most of his predecessors.
In a significant move, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in the parish church in Castel Gandolfo and give the Angelus prayer in the town square next Sunday. This revival of pastoral and communal traditions associated with the summer residence is a testament to Pope Leo XIV's commitment to engaging with the local community.
Pope Francis chose to stay in the Vatican during the summer instead of Castel Gandolfo, a departure from tradition for most popes. If Pope Leo XIV were to use Castel Gandolfo as his permanent residence, the Bavarian flag on Benedict XVI's desk may be removed, indicating a shift in papal residence.
Castel Gandolfo remains a significant symbol of papal tradition, adapting over time from a private summer palace into a historic museum and now into a venue for renewed papal presence and pastoral outreach under Pope Leo XIV. The tradition, which began with Pope Clement VIII in 1596, continues to evolve, reflecting the changing needs and priorities of the papacy.
During his stay at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV may utilize social media to share updates about his activities, thus expanding the traditional means of pastoral engagement to the digital sphere. Following the footsteps of his predecessors, Pope Leo XV is anticipated to engage in various entertainment activities available at Castel Gandolfo, such as playing tennis or bocce.
