The countdown for Pope Leo XIV’s move to his apartments has begun. This footage is of the maintenance work being done on the roof of the Apostolic Palace, which is under renovations these days. Vatican sources have assured Rome Reports that the Pope’s rooms will be ready to be occupied in the first days of January.
And indeed, in a few days it will be seven months since he was elected, and Pope Leo XIV still remains in the apartment he occupied as a cardinal, in the Palace of the Holy Office. In fact, he is expected to spend his first Christmas in the Vatican in the same building, outside the Apostolic Palace.
The renovation of this residence, originally constructed in the late 16th century, has been complicated. It should be remembered that Pope Francis decided to live in a room at the Santa Marta residence as soon as he was elected. For this reason, some areas of the Apostolic Palace had not been used for 13 years, ever since Pope Benedict XVI flew out of them via helicopter after presenting his resignation and headed to Castel Gandolfo.
The deterioration of water, electrical, and insulation systems after so many years without use has required extensive work from Vatican technicians, who are now trying to finalize the last details.
The Pope’s upcoming move will also involve that of his secretary, as well as a change in security protocol. The Swiss Guard, which in recent months has moved from Casa Santa Marta to the Palace of the Holy Office, will return to its traditional posts of surveillance and control.
The window of the Pope’s rooms, which has continued to be used during these years, will once again be located next to his bedroom and the rooms where he receives private visitors.
Trans. CRT
