Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado
Pope Leo XIV has begun his vacation in Castel Gandolfo,the historic summer residence of the popes. While he revived the tradition last year, 2026 brings something new.
The pope is not at Villa Barberini, where he goes every Tuesday to rest, but in the quarters once occupied by popes such as John Paul II and Benedict XVI, that is, in the Apostolic Palace.
Pope Francis had decided to spend his summers at the Vatican. For this reason, the Castel was turned into a Museum in 2016. Now, that Leo has returned for the summer, it will be closed for all of July.
In fact, during this last month, workers have been restoring the palace to transform it from a tourist attraction into a livable home.
Pope Leo has already made it clear what he plans on doing during his time there.
POPE LEÓN XIV
I will use the vacation time for a bit of rest, that is for sure, but also to read, reflect and to prepare for what comes after. There is also always work to be done.
In July, popes traditionally suspend their schedules. For example, there are no general audiences at the Vatican this month. The Angelus prayers do continue, but they are held in the square at Castel Gandolfo, just as they were last year.
The pope may also travel a bit. Last year he visited the Vatican observatory, which is near the palace. He also went, for example, to this nursing home...
Castel Gandolfo is the perfect place to escape the heat of Rome. It’s also a great place to take advantage of the time to write, stroll through the gardens, play tennis, or even use the swimming pool that John Paul II had installed. He was the one who nicknamed these villas the “Second Vatican.”
