'Wonderful gift': Pope Leo to go on a 2 week vacation; locals thrilled as Castel Gandolfo awaits first pope in 12 years
For the first time in over a decade, Castel Gandolfo will once again host a reigning pope, as Pope Leo prepares to revive a long-standing tradition of taking a summer break in the serene hill town south of Rome.
From 6 to 20 July, Pope Leo, who was elected on 8 May following the death of
Pope Francis
, will stay in the quiet lakeside community of just under 9,000 residents nestled on the shores of Lake Albano. Locals are welcoming the news with enthusiasm, hoping the papal presence will breathe fresh life into the town's tourism industry.
The Vatican has held ownership of a grand papal residence in Castel Gandolfo since 1596, but Pope Francis notably declined to use it, instead opting to spend his summers within the Vatican and converting the palace into a museum.
While the museum will remain open, Pope Leo has chosen to stay in a nearby Vatican-owned property during his retreat.
For local business owners and civic leaders, the return of a pope is a welcome change, the first by a pope in 12 years. 'Pope Leo has given us a wonderful gift,' said Stefano Carosi, who runs a coffee shop on the town's main square. 'The pope has always been important here... because he attracts people,' Reuters quoted Carosi.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Mayor Alberto De Angelis also expressed excitement about the visit. 'The presence of the popes in Castel Gandolfo has always meant a lot of activity, a lot of economic growth,' he said, describing the community's excitement around Leo's visit.
While Pope Leo is expected to keep a low profile behind the walls of the Vatican compound, the faithful and visitors will have a chance to see him during two public religious celebrations, scheduled for 13 and 20 July.
Temperatures in Rome have already soared past 37°C this summer, making the cooler climes of Castel Gandolfo, historically a papal escape from the heat, particularly inviting. Dozens of popes before Leo have retreated here during the summer months.
Although Pope Francis never stayed overnight in the town, residents credit him for opening the palace's gardens and converting the historic residence into a museum. 'It was more of a hit-and-run tourism, because there was the audience and then they would leave,' said Marina Rossi, who owns a mosaic studio.
'Now there is a steady flow of tourism throughout the whole year.'
Still, with Pope Leo's return, she sees an even greater opportunity for the town. 'It's an important moment,' Rossi said. 'I won't hide my happiness.'
And for those wondering what the pontiff might get up to in his downtime, Stefano's brother Maurizio had a light-hearted suggestion, 'If you want a good glass of wine, come visit with me!'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Travel Food Services IPO: Company raises Rs 599 crores from 33 anchor investors
Mumbai-based Travel Food Services Limited has garnered Rs 599 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering (IPO) that opens for public subscription on Monday, July 7, 2025. Late Friday, the company informed the exchanges that it allocated 54,43,635 equity shares at Rs. 1,100 per share on Friday, July 4, 2025, to anchor investors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Some of the marquee Institutions that participated in the anchor includes ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund , Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Axis Mutual Fund , Fidelity Investment Trust Emerging Asia Fund, Government Pension Fund Global, Kotak Mutual Fund, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund, WhiteOak Capital Flexi Fund, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company, HDFC Life Insurance Company . Tata AIA Life Insurance , Turnaround Opportunities Fund, IKIGAI Emerging Equity Fund, JM Financial Mutual Fund, Amundi Funds New Silk Road, Samsung India Securities Master Investment Trust Equity, Bharti AXA Life Insurance, Helios Flexi Cap Fund, SBI General Life Insurance Company, Necta Bloom VCC –Regal Fund, Integrated Core Strategies (Asia) Pte. Ltd, Societe Generale - ODI. Out of the total allocation of 54,43,635 equity shares to the anchor investors, 23,67,527 equity shares were allocated to 7 domestic mutual funds through a total of 15 schemes, i.e. 43.49% of the total anchor book size. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited, ICICI Securities Limited and Batlivala & Karani Securities India Private Limited, are the book-running lead managers, and MUFG Intime India Private Limited is the registrar of the issue. Live Events About Travel Food Services IPO The IPO is entirely an offer for sale up to equity shares aggregating to Rs 2,000 crore by Kapur Family Trust. The 3-day IPO will close on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 and the company has set the price band for the offer at Rs 1,045 – Rs 1,100 per equity share. The Offer is being made through the book-building process, wherein not more than 50% of the net offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to qualified institutional buyers, not less than 15% of the offer shall be available for allocation to non-institutional investors, and not less than 35% of the offer shall be available for allocation to retail individual bidders. Travel Food Services IPO bid details Investors can bid for a minimum of 13 equity shares and in multiples of 13 equity shares thereafter. About the company Promoted by the UK-based SSP Group plc and the Kapur Family Trust, Travel Food Services operates India's largest network of travel quick service restaurants (QSRs) and airport lounges. Out of its 413 outlets, 384 are located in airports. The company has a presence across 14 Indian airports, and three overseas—two in Malaysia and one in Hong Kong. It also runs 37 lounges, including 28 private airport lounges in India, covering 10 domestic airports—making it the country's largest lounge network. Travel Food Services financials Financially, the company posted a 27.4% rise in profit to Rs 379.7 crore in FY25, with revenue up 20.9% year-on-year to Rs 1,687.7 crore. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
7 injured, including 5-year-old, in Georgia's Lake Lanier boat explosion during July 4th weekend
A boat explosion at Georgia's Lake Lanier on Friday, July 4 evening, injured seven people, including a 5-year-old child, during Fourth of July celebrations, local authorities confirmed. Five of the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals with second and third-degree burns, while two others were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the incident occurred around 7 EST near Landshark Cove, close to Margaritaville, when a 23-foot cabin cruiser being towed exploded. Also Read: Volcano erupts in Japan as manga artist Ryo Tatsuki's 'Mega Disaster' prophecy stokes fears and echoes Baba Vanga by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The vessel quickly became engulfed in five-foot-high flames, prompting an urgent response from local fire departments. Live Events According to Hall County Fire officials, one of the injured victims had to be airlifted due to the severity of the burns. The age range of the victims spans from 5 to 45 years old. Firefighters from Hall County, along with Gainesville Fire's Marine Rescue team, managed to extinguish the blaze using a portable pump and marine units. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but the Hall County Fire Marshal's Office is currently investigating it. About Lake Lanier Lake Lanier, located in northern Georgia, is a popular reservoir created by the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. Known for its scenic beauty, it attracts millions of visitors annually for boating, fishing, and water sports. Also Read: Pacific Sleeper Sharks queue up to feed on cow in South China Sea; first-ever footage captures rare deep sea behavior Despite its popularity, the lake has gained a reputation for accidents and unexplained incidents, leading to local legends and safety concerns. With over 690 miles of shoreline and 38,000 acres, Lake Lanier remains one of the Southeast's most visited recreational lakes.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Over 26,800 perform Amarnath Yatra in 2 days, another batch of 6,979 leave for Valley
Another batch of 6,979 Yatris left Jammu on Saturday for Kashmir amid tight security arrangements to perform pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine as more than 26,800 pilgrims had 'Darshan' during the last two days, officials said. The officials added that more than 26,800 pilgrims had 'darshan' inside the holy cave shrine cave during the last two days since the 38-day-long Amarnath Yatra started on July 3. "Another batch of 6,979 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatra Niwas in the morning in two escorted convoys of 312 vehicles for the Valley." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scientists: Tinnitus? When tinnitus won't go away, do this (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo "Of these, 2,753 are going to Baltal base camp while 4,226 pilgrims are going to Nunwan (Pahalgam base camp)," officials added. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, inaugurated a Yatri Niwas in Baltal base camp on Friday. Live Events The complex includes a disaster management centre. Part of the ONGC 's corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, Baltal Yatri Niwas has become functional while those in Bijbehara, Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Sidhra in Jammu are nearing completion. These locations feature dormitories, sewage treatment plants, and other essential utilities. The Sidhra site (8,500 square metres), designed as a sustainable G+5 structure equipped with solar panels, is expected to be operational by September 2026. Collectively, these projects, covering over 30,955 square metres, will provide safer and more comfortable facilities for the people. Authorities have left no stone unturned in providing a multi-tier cover to this year's Amarnath Yatra, as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, and the local police. All the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forces. Locals have extended complete cooperation to this year's Amarnath Yatra as they have always done in the past. To send out a powerful signal that Kashmiris were deeply shocked by the Pahalgam terror attack, locals were the first to welcome the first batch of Yatris with garlands and placards as the pilgrims crossed the Navyug Tunnel to enter the Valley at Qazigund. This year, the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Yatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route have to pass through Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine, covering a distance of 46 km on foot. This trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrine. Those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the Yatra. For security reasons, no helicopter services are available to the Yatris this year. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. Shri Amarnath ji Yatra is one of the holiest religious pilgrimages for the devotees, as legend says Lord Shiva narrated the secrets of eternal life and immortality to Mata Parvati inside this cave. Two pigeons accidentally happened to be inside the cave when the eternal secrets were being narrated by Lord Shiva. Traditionally, even to this day, a pair of mountain pigeons flies out of the cave shrine when the annual Yatra begins.
