Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Castel Gandolfo for Summer Vacation

Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI all spent at least part of the summers in Castel Gandolfo, following the Lateran Pact of 1929. 

Pope Francis chose to not use the property as a summer residence during his 12-year pontificate. The late pontiff instead chose to open the estate’s gardens to the general public in 2014 and, in 2016, converted the papal palace into a museum.

The palace and gardens will remain open to the public during Leo’s stay, since he will be living in the Villa Barberini, a different palazzo on the grounds.

Castel Gandolfo mayor Alberto de Angelis told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, last month that Pope Leo’s stay “will give back to the city its daily connection with the pope.”

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“The Angelus, the visits, the contact with the people. We want to experience all of that again,” Mayor de Angelis said.

Pope Leo will continue to deliver his weekly Angelus addresses Liberty Square (Piazza della Libertà) in front of the pontifical palace on July 13 and on July 20.

Kristina Millare is a freelance journalist with a professional communications background in the humanitarian aid and development sector, news journalism, entertainment marketing, politics and government, business and entrepreneurship.