Sharing accommodations at the Vatican: Pope Leo settles into a luxurious apartment alongside companions
The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will be moving into the Papal apartments in Rome's Apostolic Palace later this year, marking a departure from the current pope's choice to live frugally in the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse. This will be the first time in modern history that a pope will share his official living quarters on the third floor of the palace.
The Papal apartments have been the official residence of popes since 1870, and historically, popes have had their own private apartments in the Vatican. While past popes lived in communal settings before election or in religious communities, the official papal living quarters have traditionally been for the pope’s exclusive use.
However, Pope Leo XIV, noted for his identity as an Augustinian friar prior to his papacy, has maintained a close communal relationship with his Augustinian brothers. There are reports that three or four of his brethren are set to move in with him in the Papal apartments.
It is important to clarify that there is no evidence that Pope Leo XIV has ever shared his official living quarters with other clergy members in the history of the Vatican. After his election as pope in 2025, he assumed the traditional papal role of Bishop of Rome and resided in the official papal residences in the Vatican, which are known to be private living quarters assigned to the pope alone.
In the meantime, Pope Leo XIV has been living in the Sagrestia building, right next to St Peter's Basilica, while his papal apartment undergoes renovation. Last Sunday, he shared lunch with more than 100 homeless people while celebrating Mass before visiting a local shrine in the town of Albano.
The Vatican has been approached for comment by the Daily Mail regarding this significant change in the pope's living arrangements, but no official statement has been made yet. Iacopo Scaramuzzi, a Vatican correspondent, stated that this decision is a new development in the modern era of the church.
The tradition of the Pope traditionally blessing crowds of pilgrims gathering in St Peter's Square on Sundays from the window of the papal apartments is likely to continue with Pope Leo XIV's move. The 10 rooms inside the 16th-century apartment are currently being renovated to accommodate the pope and his brethren.
For 12 years, Pope Leo XIV lived just steps from St Peter's Square in the Curia of the St Augustinian Order while serving as prior-general between 2001 and 2013. This summer, he resurrected a tradition abandoned by his predecessor - retreating to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. The Pope spent several days at Castel Gandolfo in July, before returning again in August for another brief stay.
This news comes as a shift in the living arrangements of the pope, emphasising the personal touch and communal spirit that Pope Leo XIV brings to his role as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
