Insights

In the summer of 2025, Pope Leo XIV resumed the tradition of papal vacations by heading to Castel Gandolfo, a summer retreat located south of Rome. His departure from the Vatican came during his Sunday noon blessing, where he expressed his hope for everyone to have time for rest to restore their body and spirit. The papal palace at Castel Gandolfo, historically significant, underwent expansions over centuries and now includes a working farm, gardens, an observatory, and an educational center. This move marked a notable return of a pope to the summer residence after former Pope Francis opted to remain in Rome during his 12-year pontificate. The residents of Castel Gandolfo had long felt the absence of a pope during the summers, which affected the town's emotional and economic well-being. With the retreat's reopening, locals anticipated a revival of the lively atmosphere that accompanied papal visits. Mayor Alberto De Angelis expressed hopes that Leo would utilize his time at the retreat not only for rest but also for drafting significant documents or encyclicals, as past popes did. The town, which had previously suffered a decrease in tourism during Francis's papacy, welcomed the return of a papal presence, anticipating the economic benefits it would bring. Past popes had filled the summer months with activity and engagement with the community, and residents fondly remembered warm summers filled with papal blessings and pilgrimages. This vacation symbolizes a restoration of tradition, aimed at re-establishing connections with the faithful and revitalizing the small town economically and emotionally. Despite some ongoing challenges within the Vatican, including financial issues and addressing church crises, Leo's decision to vacation at Castel Gandolfo signals a desire to reconnect with the church's deeper roots and traditions. Local businesses, which felt a loss during the past summers, are eager for the influx of tourists and pilgrims that a summer pope typically brings to Castel Gandolfo.