James O'Reilly
The papal residence at Castel Gandolfo will close starting in July. But you can still visit it now: tickets are available on the website until June 30, but if you try to buy them for July or August, they are not available then—during peak tourist month—nor for the following months.
This is so that it will be easier for Pope Leo XIV to move to the official summer residence of the popes at that time. Renovation work is scheduled to begin in May, according to sources from Castel Gandolfo cited by Rome Reports.
Pope Francis turned the papal residence into a museum in 2016. From that moment on, rooms never before seen were opened to the public, such as the pope’s bedroom, his personal chapel, and his private study.
So where Pope Leo has been staying during his short visits is here, at Villa Barberini. But this place has security issues for several reasons: it is in the middle of a street, has a narrow entrance, and is open to cars and pedestrians.
Look, for example, at what happens every time the pope enters or leaves each week—crowds of people wait for him by the door. Besides the personal security accompanying the pope, there are no other security measures to prevent an incident.
Rome Reports' sources explained to us that the project to convert the museum back into a residence—which will not entail any major renovations—was presented to Pope Leo, who has approved it.
Since it has remained open to the public, the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo is in good condition. So the renovations here will not be like those of the Vatican Palace. It will only require a facelift to make it habitable again.
For Pope Leo, Castel Gandolfo is his weekly breath of fresh air, where he goes every Monday afternoon and returns every Tuesday. He himself explained it:
POPE LEO XIV
A bit of tennis, a bit of swimming… yes, yes.
I think that, to take good care of oneself, we should all do a bit of physical and spiritual exercise. All together. I believe that… for me, in any case, a moment—a pause during the week—does me a lot of good.
Castel Gandolfo is nicknamed “Vatican II.” This fun name was given to the summer residence by Pope St. John Paul II. The Polish pope spent his leisure time in these spacious rooms, taking the opportunity to walk, write, and even had a swimming pool built.
Pope Benedict XVI also stayed here—you can see him in his study, walking with his secretary through the gardens, and even at this small pond feeding the fish.
This place has also been part of some historic moments. Two pontiffs died there: Pope Pius XII in October 1958 and Pope Paul VI, twenty years later, in August 1978.
Now, the path will be cleared for Pope Leo XIV to become the 16th pope to spend the summer at the official summer residence of the pontiffs: the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
