Pope Leo XIV Revives Tradition with Summer Retreat in Castel Gandolfo

Residents express excitement as the new pope plans to revitalize Castel Gandolfo by utilizing the iconic villa.

For over four centuries, the scenic hill town of Castel Gandolfo, located 18 miles southwest of Rome, has served as a summer retreat for popes seeking respite from the sweltering heat of the capital. As historical figures such as John Paul II and Benedict XVI cherished their time there, it has become a symbolic haven for papal rest and reflection. However, since Pope Francis chose to abandon this time-honored tradition, the town felt a notable lack of connection to the Vatican, leaving many residents feeling ‘orphaned’.

The landscape changed dramatically with the recent announcement that Pope Leo XIV will return to this cherished location for a two-week summer retreat starting July. Such news has been met with widespread enthusiasm among locals, prompting both relief and accelerated preparations to welcome the pontiff. Mayor Alberto De Angelis expressed the importance of the papacy to the town's identity, calling Castel Gandolfo a "second Vatican."

Local business owners are optimistic too, anticipating an influx of visitors who want to witness the pope's summer stay. Many residents, like Maurizio Carosi, openly shared their joy, recalling the vibrancy that past papal summers brought to their lives. The excitement surrounding Pope Leo XIV’s visit offers a fresh chapter for both the town and the Vatican, as Castel Gandolfo prepares to welcome its cherished tenant back, reconnecting both the local community and papal tradition in this idyllic setting.