Pope Leo XIV returned to Castel Gandolfo on August 13. Castel Gandolfo, located near Rome, has historically been the papal summer residence. Pope Leo XIV revived the tradition of staying at Castel Gandolfo during the summer. The Pope is scheduled to celebrate Mass on August 15 at the pontifical parish in Castel Gandolfo.
4 months ago
Pope Leo XIV returned to Castel Gandolfo on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, for a summer stay 1. This marks his second visit to the historic papal summer residence this year, following an earlier stay from July 6 to 22 1.
Castel Gandolfo, situated 15 miles from Rome on the shores of Lake Albano, has traditionally served as the summer retreat for popes 1. While Pope Francis chose to remain in the Vatican during summer months, Pope Leo XIV has reinstated this long-standing papal custom 1.
During his current visit, Pope Leo XIV has a series of engagements planned 1. On Friday, August 15, he is scheduled to celebrate Mass at the pontifical parish in Castel Gandolfo for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1. On Sunday, August 17, he will celebrate Mass with a group of poor people assisted by Caritas at the shrine in Santa Maria della Rotonda in Albano, a town bordering Castel Gandolfo 1. Following this, he will pray the Angelus at noon in Liberty Plaza and share lunch with 100 low-income individuals at Borgo Laudato Si’, an ecological and social initiative inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si’ 1. The Pontiff is expected to return to the Vatican on the afternoon of August 17 1.
The papal summer home at Castel Gandolfo offers a serene escape from the Roman heat 1. Pope Leo XIV's previous activities during his first summer stay included visiting a home for the elderly and meeting with a U.S. Orthodox-Catholic pilgrim group 1.
Papal residences and their significance
The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter, has several residences that serve both practical and symbolic purposes in the exercise of his universal ministry. These residences are not merely buildings but hold significant historical, spiritual, and cultural value for the Catholic Church and the world.
The primary and most significant papal residence is within Vatican City State. This tiny, independent state, established in 1929, serves as the visible guarantee of the Holy See's absolute independence . It is the "center of outreach of a constant action on behalf of solidarity and the common good" and a place from which a ceaseless message of social progress, hope, reconciliation, and peace rises .
Within Vatican City, the Pope's residence is not merely a monumental complex but "the seat of the Vicar of Christ" and "the living and active center of Catholicism" , . It is a place where people of all nationalities, social classes, and cultures come to pray at the tomb of Saint Peter and hear the words of his successor . The Vatican contains immense treasures of faith, history, and art, preserving a precious patrimony for all humanity .
Pope Pius XI described the Vatican territory as "materially small, but at the same time great, the greatest in the world, from whatever other point of view one contemplates it" . He highlighted its unique treasures, such as Bernini's colonnade, Michelangelo's dome, and the vast collections in its archives, libraries, museums, and galleries, all of which cover and guard the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles . The Vatican Library, for instance, is an integral part of the means required for the Petrine Ministry, preserving historical memory and demonstrating a "catholic" universal openness to all that humanity has produced that is beautiful, good, noble, and worthy .
The Vatican also houses the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, which preserves the memory of Saint Peter's martyrdom and tomb. The Fabric of Saint Peter's is responsible for the conservation and decorum of the basilica and the internal discipline of its employees, pilgrims, and visitors , . The Sistine Chapel, within the Vatican, is another significant location, with its decorations serving as a "hymn to Christ" and highlighting the role of Peter and his successors in the Church .
Another notable papal residence is Castel Gandolfo, located in the Alban Hills outside Rome. For centuries, this place has been reserved for the Pope, serving as a serene and restful summer retreat , , , , . Popes have often spent their summer holidays there, finding it a welcoming environment for rest, study, and reflection , , , .
The civil authorities and citizens of Castel Gandolfo traditionally offer warm hospitality and cooperation to the Bishop of Rome, ensuring a peaceful and fruitful stay , , , , , . This service is seen as having additional value due to the "spirit of Christian awareness of the meaning of the mission of the Successor of Peter" , . Popes have expressed gratitude for the hospitality and the sense of feeling "at home" in Castel Gandolfo , . The location has also been used for important events, such as study weeks .
While Vatican City and Castel Gandolfo are the most prominent, the Holy See also possesses other properties that enjoy special legal status under international law, such as the complex of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls . These properties, though not primary residences, are part of the Holy See's patrimony and contribute to its mission.
In essence, papal residences, particularly the Vatican, are not just physical spaces but embody the continuity of the Church's history, the living presence of Christ through His Vicar, and the universal mission of the Successor of Peter , . They are centers from which the Church's spiritual and pastoral work extends to the entire human race .