Pope returns to private retreat at Castel Gandolfo for summer - Pope Returns to Private Quarters at Castel Gandolfo for Summer Retreat
After a decade-long hiatus, Pope Leo XIV has returned to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence, marking the first papal summer stay at the location since 2013. The new Pope, who took office two months ago, will spend the Maria Himmelfahrt weekend on August 15 in Castel Gandolfo before returning to Rome on July 20.
Unlike his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, who chose to spend his summers at his modest Vatican residence instead of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV has decided to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors. However, he will be residing in Villa Barberini, a Vatican-owned building in the city center, rather than the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, which Francis converted into a museum in 2016.
The papal residence at Castel Gandolfo has been a favourite of popes since Urban VIII, with John Paul II even having a swimming pool built. The palace, which belongs to the Vatican since 1596 and covers a total area of ten hectares, larger than Vatican City, has been closed to visitors due to lack of activity since Pope Francis abandoned the tradition. However, with the return of Pope Leo XIV, the palace is expected to see increased business.
In a departure from the past, Pope Leo XIV has had a tennis court installed at Castel Gandolfo. The Pope has been keeping a low profile since his tenure began, giving only one non-descript interview and not travelling abroad. He will give the Angelus prayer next Sunday in Castel Gandolfo.
Pope Leo XIV's decision to return to Castel Gandolfo is a significant shift from the approach of his immediate predecessor. While Francis chose to spend his summers at the Vatican, Leo XIV is following in the footsteps of his predecessors, albeit with some differences. It remains to be seen how the future of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo as a tourist attraction will unfold, with the decision lying with Pope Leo XIV.
| Pope | Last Summer Stay at Castel Gandolfo | Notes | |----------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Pope Francis | Did not stay at Castel Gandolfo during 2013–2023 | Abandoned tradition, summered at Vatican residence | | Pope Benedict XVI / John Paul II | Prior to Pope Francis | Used Castel Gandolfo as summer residence | | Pope Leo XIV | July 2025 | Revived the tradition after 12 years' pause |
[1] https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2016-03/pope-francis-castel-gandolfo-museum.html [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/world/europe/pope-francis-castel-gandolfo.html [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35881476 [4] https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/19/europe/pope-francis-castel-gandolfo-museum/index.html
In alignment with his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to revive the tradition of summer residency at Castel Gandolfo, contrasting the lifestyle of his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, who opted for a more homebound existence at the Vatican. Despite the installation of a tennis court in Castel Gandolfo, one can expect the new Pope to continue maintaining a modest and reserved home-and-garden lifestyle at the papal palace, just as he has done within the quarters of his Vatican residence.
