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Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Why is Pope Leo's visit to Castel Gandolfo significant to the Catholic community?
Written by Shaarvi Magazine Pope Leo XIV arrived at Castel Gandolfo in Italy on Sunday (July 6) to spend his summer in the hilltop town, marking a return to a long-standing papal tradition. He was welcomed by crowds of faithful who stood behind barriers and chanted 'Viva Papa'. The Pope will reside in the Villa Barberini during his two-week summer vacation till July 20. On July 13 and July 20, he will celebrate Mass in a church and cathedral nearby, and deliver the Sunday Angelus messages from the Piazza della Libertà (Liberty Square) in front of the pontifical palace. He will return to the town again for three days in August, delivering the Angelus on August 15 and 17 during the Ferragosto, Italy's national holiday for the Feast of Assumption, CNN reported. The cool hilltop region has been a summer retreat for popes for centuries, with Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI spending part of the summers here. However, Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Catholic tradition and Leo's predecessor, last visited the place in 2013. Pope Leo's decision to revive the practice by coming to the town has drawn both attention and praise from the Catholic community. Here is what to know. Castel Gandolfo is a 135-acre pontifical estate situated 25 kilometres southeast of Rome. It features several properties, lush gardens, a working farm and the historical Vatican Observatory. The New York Times reported that a tennis court had been installed on the property in honour of the pope's love for the sport. The town provided shelter for Jewish refugees during World War II, and was also the setting for the movie, 'The Two Popes', CNN reported. The tradition of popes summering in the Palace of Castel Gandolfo dates back to the 17th century when Pope Urban VIII first designated the palace as a papal retreat. Over the years, it became a cherished custom, offering a respite from Rome's heat while allowing them to continue their duties in a more serene setting over a lake. Over the years, several popes have sought the town for their summer retreat, occasionally welcoming important visitors and basking in the quiet atmosphere, reading, taking walks, or even swimming. The last pope to reside at Castele Gandolfo was Pope Benedict XVI, who visited the town after resigning in 2013 and delivered his final public appearance as pope from the balcony here. 'Since 1628, the popes have lived in Castel Gandolfo. Some more, some less, but their presence has been constant. This is a city accustomed to the daily life of the pope,' Mayor Alberto de Angelis told ACI Prensa, the Catholic News Agency's Spanish sister agency, in June. However, Pope Francis departed from this tradition, choosing instead to stay in Vatican City, where he could maintain his austere lifestyle and focus on administrative reforms. He converted the papal palace into a museum in 2016, having opened its grounds to the public two years earlier. The gardens were part of his 'Borgo Laudato Si' program aiming to promote environmental conservation. The move reportedly boosted tourism to the town, with over 200,000 people visiting in 2023, according to the Vatican. The significance of Pope Leo's stay in Castel Gandolfo Pope Francis's decision not to use the Castel Gandolfo as a summer retreat was controversial. His rejection of traditional practices of the Catholic church, including the use of Castel Gandolfo, was seen by some as a necessary modernisation, while others felt it weakened the Church's connection to its heritage. A resident of the town, Maurizio Carosi, conveyed his dissatisfaction with Pope Francis, saying, 'We were orphaned,' in an interview with The NYT. Pope Leo's decision to return to the summer residence signals a shift, one that balances continuity with reform. For many Catholics, the revival of this tradition is a symbolic gesture, reaffirming the importance of papal history while allowing Pope Leo to engage with the faithful in a different setting. While the local residents are overjoyed at the papal presence, Pope Leo's visit could significantly boost tourism. The town has a population of 8,900 and is heavily dependent on tourism. The prospect of public prayer with the pope in the piazza, a relatively more intimate setting than the pope's balcony in the Vatican, is expected to be a huge draw. 'What was missing in these 12 years was the global visibility that the pope gives Castel Gandolfo when he recites the Angelus,' Stefano Carosi, Maurizio's brother, told The NYT. Pope Leo will continue his predecessor's tradition and allow public access to the gardens and the palace while residing in the Villa Barbarini, a separate property on the grounds. On Wednesday (July 9), the pope will oversee a private mass with the staff of the Borgo Laudato Si project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released by the Vatican on July 3. Pope Leo's choice may be interpreted as a subtle recalibration within the Church, honouring tradition without rejecting progress. While Francis emphasised a more decentralised, humble papacy, Leo appears to be embracing the Church's historical identity while still addressing contemporary challenges. Pope Francis 'did a lot for the city, opening the doors of the papal residence and the gardens… But now, Leo XIV will give back to the city its daily connection with the pope: the Angelus, the visits, the contact with the people. We want to experience all of that again,' de Angelis told ACI Prensa. The writer is a student and a summer intern at The Indian Express.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
CNN
07-07-2025
- CNN
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
CNN
07-07-2025
- CNN
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
CNN
07-07-2025
- CNN
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
