Shortly before 9:00 p.m., Pope Leo had already returned home to the Vatican.
This marked the end of the 16-day break that took him to this small town. Upon leaving, while speaking with Italian media, he described it as a "working vacation,” and he definitely wasn't wrong.
During these days, diplomatic activity was far from absent: Pope Leo received the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and spoke by phone with the Israeli Prime Minister as well as the Palestinian President following the attack on the Catholic parish in Gaza.
The Pope also held a few official meetings, such as hosting a group of Orthodox and Catholic pilgrims from the United States that were on joint pilgrimage.
He hosted another meeting with representatives of various congregations amidst their general chapters.
Where he did seem more relaxed, or at least less formal and more pastoral, was in his ongoing encounters with local residents: from visits to the carabinieri and the Poor Clare nuns…
…to this visit to a nursing home.
For the residents of this town, Pope Leo's return has meant a return to life.
We are happy to welcome the Pope here in Castel Gandolfo and glad he’s come back. His presence, in my opinion, is a blessing for these places in the Castelli Romani. We’re truly happy that he has returned.
There were also a few unexpected calls, such as the one he had with the only surviving astronaut from Apollo 11 moon mission in 1969.
The pope also celebrated this first Mass for the “care of creation” using the newly approved format.
POPE LEO XIV
At the beginning of Mass we prayed for conversion, our conversion, and I would like to add that we must pray for the conversion of many people inside and outside the Church who still do not recognize the urgency of caring for our common home.
The American Pope did not stop following current events. In his weekly appointments with the faithful to pray the Angelus, he continued to send messages to the international community.
In short, it is confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has returned to the Vatican to resume his regular activities. However, he hasn’t left Castel Gandolfo behind completely, as he will return in August for the Feast of the Assumption.
JRB
Trans. CRT
