After 12 Years, Castel Gandolfo Locals Welcome the Pope Back to His Summer Home

After 12 Years, Castel Gandolfo Locals Welcome the Pope Back to His Summer Home

A U.S. flag is seen on a balcony on the main square outside the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, May 29, 2025, the day Pope Leo XIV visited. (Photos: CNS/Pablo Esparza) by Justin McLellan CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) – After more than a decade without its most famous vacationer, the quiet town of Castel Gandolfo once again counts the pope among its summer residents. Pope Leo XIV became the 16th pope to reside in the papal summer r…

‘We’ve waited for it for so long’: After 12 years, the pope is back at Castel Gandolfo for vacation, and the locals are thrilled

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — After more than a decade without its most famous vacationer, the quiet town of Castel Gandolfo once again counts the pope among its summer residents. Pope Leo XIV became the 16th pope to reside in the papal summer residence when he moved there July 6, following the recitation of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. “This afternoon, I will travel to Castel Gandolfo, where I intend to have a short period of rest,” the …

Pope Leo XIV brings back papal summer stays at Castel Gandolfo

VATICAN CITY — After more than a decade of absence, a pontiff has returned to the quaint hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, stirring a wave of nostalgia and excitement among locals. This revival of an old tradition signals a subtle but meaningful shift in papal priorities. According to Religion News Service, Pope Leo XIV arrived at the Barberini Palace on Sunday, marking the first papal summer retreat in the town overlooking Lake Albano in nearly …

After 12 years, locals welcome pope back to his summer home

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — After more than a decade without its most famous vacationer, the quiet town of Castel Gandolfo once again counts the pope among its summer residents.Pope Leo XIV became the 16th pope to reside in the papal summer residence when he moved there July 6, following the recitation of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.“This afternoon, I will travel to Castel Gandolfo, where I intend to have a short period of rest,” the pope tol…