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Pope Leo XIV Arrives at Castel Gandolfo for First Summer Retreat in a Decade

His move into a refurbished villa with a new tennis court underscores a blend of rest with ongoing liturgical duties

People walk past a souvenir shop in the town of Castel Gandolfo, a historic summer retreat for popes about 30 kilometers southeast of Rome, where Pope Leo XIV will be spending a short period of rest, is seen Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A guide book with an image of Pope Leo XIV on its cover is on display outside a souvenir shop in the town of Castel Gandolfo, a historic summer retreat for popes about 30 kilometers southeast of Rome, where Pope Leo XIV will be spending a short period of rest, is seen Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A view of the Papal or Apostolic Palace, a historic summer retreat for popes in the lakeside town of Castel Gandolfo, about 30 kilometers southeast of Rome, where Pope Leo XIV will be spending a short period of rest, is seen Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Overview

  • He is the first pope to spend the summer at Castel Gandolfo since Francis discontinued the tradition in 2013
  • Pope Leo and his Swiss Guard have taken up residence in the newly renovated Villa Barberini on the palace grounds
  • The Vatican confirmed that a tennis court has been installed and acknowledged unverified rumors of horses being brought in for riding
  • All public and private audiences are suspended from July 2–23, but he will celebrate Mass and lead the Angelus on July 13 and 20
  • The Apostolic Palace remains open to tourists and the pope is scheduled to return for the Feast of the Assumption in mid-August