Pope Leo to share papal apartment with friars, blending tradition with fraternity

Since his election as the first American pope, Leo XIV has leaned into the Church’s traditions — donning the formal vestments, reviving the use of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, and choosing to live in the Apostolic Palace. Yet he may soon break with one long-standing custom: living alone.

According to reports in La Repubblica, Pope Leo is preparing to move into the palace, the traditional papal residence overlooking St. Peter’s Square. But unlike his predecessors, he intends to bring with him a small community of Augustinian friars, turning the grand space into a shared religious household. The Vatican has not officially confirmed the plan.

The rumored housemates — three friars from Italy, the Philippines, and Nigeria — currently assist with the Pope’s liturgical wardrobe, according to The Times. 

The Telegraph reported another possible addition: Father Edgard Rimaycuna, the Pope’s Peruvian personal secretary. 

>> Italian media: Young Peruvian priest set to become Pope Leo XIV’s personal secretary <<

The outlet also noted that it appeared to be the first time a pope would live with others.

“It seems to be new to me,” Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi told The Telegraph. “I don’t know if that takes account of the long history of the church but certainly in the modern era.”

The friars’ potential presence would reflect the deep communal ethos of the Augustinian order, to which Pope Leo has belonged for decades.

“He has made it clear since his election he is a son of Augustine and believes in the significance of community. I can see he would miss that,” Father Ian Wilson, a Scottish Augustinian who studied alongside Leo in Rome, told The Times.

Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, has so far delayed his move into the palace due to damp conditions caused by years of vacancy under Pope Francis, who declined to live there during his 12-year papacy. Francis instead chose the simpler Casa Santa Marta guesthouse.

But Pope Leo’s approach has been different. While he continues to honor the spiritual priorities of his predecessor, his style has been more traditionally papal. His choice to live in community as pope could be a defining aspect of his papacy.

“He always liked to be with other friars and when he was a cardinal he would come for morning prayers and Mass at 7.30,” Fr. Wilson said. “He would sometimes have lunch at the General Curia and take whichever chair was free.”

“He loves a good conversation and I miss him. I can imagine him wanting to now recreate a community of friars who would pray with him, talk with him and share a joke,” he added. “He would also like a group around him where he can relax knowing that everything is strictly confidential.”

Father Alejandro Moral Antón, the head of the Augustinians, shared that Leo quietly dropped in on June 1 to celebrate his 70th birthday. 

“For us the community of friars is really important,” he said. “It’s a place to talk about anything you want with people you have faith in. It’s like family.”

>> Pope Leo XIV’s spirituality: Catholic apologist unpacks the Augustinian mind <<

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