This is the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, where Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his first Mass in Castel Gandolfo during his vacation period. The Mass will take place on July 13 at 10:00 a.m.
The parish priest, Tadeusz Rozmus, explains how the celebration will be held in this small parish.
TADEUSZ ROZMUS, Parish Priest and Chaplain of the Pontifical Villa
There are very limited spaces because the church is not large. At most, there are 200 seats inside, so everyone wants to be able to attend. For that reason, people will have to be selected; we’ll see who will be able to enter. However, the entire square will be available, along with the Corso della Repubblica, so together with local authorities, the mayor, and the city council, preparations are underway to allow everyone who wishes to participate.
The baroque church was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the famous Italian sculptor. It was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, who wanted a palatine chapel next to the Pontifical Palace.
For the parish priest, it is a source of joy that the Pope is once again spending his rest period in Castel Gandolfo.
TADEUSZ ROZMUS, Parish Priest and Chaplain of the Pontifical Villa
It is a cause for joy for us that the Pope is returning here to Castel Gandolfo. The presence of the Pope in Castel Gandolfo is part of history. For more than 400 years, since Pope Urban VIII, there has been this tradition of the popes' presence—so you could say that Castel Gandolfo is married to the popes, or that the popes are married to Castel Gandolfo. We are very happy about this historic event, and so we await the arrival of Pope Leo. We are preparing as a parish community, as a city community, to welcome him with all the energy of our hearts.
This parish has a special connection with Pope Leo XIV. Saint Thomas of Villanova, the church’s namesake, was a friar who belonged to the same order as the Pope: the Augustinians.
BAM
Trans. CRT
