Pope Leo XIV Begins Vacation at Castel Gandolfo

Pope Leo XIV arrived at Castel Gandolfo, a historic papal retreat, to commence a six-week vacation. The town welcomed its prominent guest back after a hiatus during Pope Francis’s 12-year term. Leo greeted supporters lining the main road, expressing his intent for a ‘brief period of rest’ from the villa’s balcony.

Leo wished for everyone to enjoy some vacation time for personal rejuvenation, stating this after his departure from the Vatican. As the first American pope, Leo, aged 69 and born in Chicago, is reviving the tradition of leaving the Vatican during summer months. Castel Gandolfo offers cooler temperatures, providing relief from Rome’s summer heat. The town has been used as a getaway spot since Emperor Domitian’s era.

Leo will have limited public engagements, including Masses and prayers, while at Castel Gandolfo. Officials anticipate he will use his time to rest and focus on important issues for his pontificate. Sister Mary Livia, a nun from Uganda, acknowledged Leo’s need for this personal time, highlighting his rigorous schedule since assuming office.

Pope Urban VIII erected the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo in 1624, expanding it to a 55-hectare estate, larger than Vatican City. The property includes a farm, gardens, a Jesuit-run observatory, and an environmental education center inspired by Francis’s 2015 Laudato Si encyclical.

Historical papal visits attracted large crowds for Sunday blessings in the palace courtyard. Pope Benedict XVI concluded his papacy there in February 2013. However, Pope Francis opted for Rome-based summers, initially impacting the local economy. To counteract, Francis transformed the palace into a museum, boosting year-round tourism.

Simone Mariani, a local restaurateur, noted the positive shift from seasonal to consistent visitor numbers due to the museum. Yet, residents mourned the cessation of traditional papal visits, which enlivened the town annually.

Currently, Leo resides in the Villa Barberini, once used by Vatican secretaries during papal stays. Mayor Alberto De Angelis hopes Leo will consider extending visits throughout the year, as exemplified by St. John Paul II. Additionally, he wishes for Leo to utilize Castel Gandolfo’s tranquil setting for creating impactful church documents and encyclicals.

De Angelis expressed hopes for a document from Leo, inspired during his stay, to have global significance, with Castel Gandolfo as its origin. Such historical associations could further enhance the town’s legacy.