Pope Leo XIV is bringing back a longstanding papal custom this year by spending part of his summer at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, the hilltop town southeast of Rome that served for centuries as the summer home of the popes.
The Vatican confirmed that the Holy Father will take up residence in the Alban Hills starting July 6, pausing his usual schedule for a period of rest, Vatican News reported. Over the following two Sundays — July 13 and July 20 — he will celebrate public Masses in local parishes and pray the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in Liberty Square, the heart of Castel Gandolfo.
On July 13, Pope Leo will offer Mass at the town’s Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova at 10 a.m., followed by the traditional Angelus prayer at noon. One week later, he will travel to the Cathedral of Albano for Mass at 9:30 a.m., before returning again to Liberty Square to lead the midday prayer. That same afternoon, the pope will return to the Vatican.
After a busy July — which also includes the Jubilee of Youth from July 28 to Aug. 3 — Pope Leo will revisit Castel Gandolfo for the Solemnity of the Assumption. On August 15, he will celebrate Mass once more at the Pontifical Parish and pray the Angelus publicly. He will remain in town through the weekend and lead a final Angelus on Sunday, Aug. 17, before departing that afternoon.
The pope’s return to Castel Gandolfo is expected to bring renewed activity to the town, which saw steady summer visitors during the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Pope Francis chose not to continue the tradition, instead opening the residence to the public as a museum. With Pope Leo’s presence drawing pilgrims and media attention, local businesses and the regional economy may see a welcome boost.
During his July retreat, the pope will suspend private audiences and Wednesday General Audiences on July 2, 9, 16, and 23, resuming them on July 30.
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Author: Rachel Quackenbush
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