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Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Telegraph
The picturesque Italian town where the Pope goes on holiday
As Pope Leo XIV decamped to one of the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo for what the Vatican called 'a period of rest,' it would appear that prayers have been answered for the residents of this town perched atop volcanic Lake Albano. Popes have been coming to this hilltop hamlet, 15 miles south of the Eternal City, for hundreds of years to reflect and pray – and escape the Roman heat. Their divine presence is a tourism magnet, a boon to this town of 9,000 in the Alban Hills of the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles) area. The late Pope Francis opted to staycation in his modest Roman guest house during the summers of his 12-year tenure – in line with his so-called 'pauperistic papacy' – taking fewer meetings but still pressing on with papal business. This meant that the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo remained largely uninhabited for more than a decade, ultimately impacting the local economy, as having a pope in residence helps attract the tourist throngs that have historically filled the main square of Piazza della Libertà. However, now that Pope Leo XIV is settled in at Villa Barberini – he took up residence in this papal property on July 6 and will stay through July 20, returning briefly in mid-August for the Feast of the Assumption – the streets of the village are once again abuzz. But it would appear that Leo XIV hasn't yet had much time to relax by the controversial swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or make use of the tennis or bocce courts. For an inside look at the Pope's summer home, visitors can book a guided tour to see the Papal Palace and Papal Gardens of Castel Gandolfo, which visitors might recognise from the 2019 film The Two Popes, a fictionalised account of discussions about the future of the Catholic Church that took place between Pope Benedict XVI and then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (later Pope Francis). Those here on a pilgrimage will certainly want to stop in at the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova, which was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII Chigi in the 1600s and designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Don't let the seemingly simple façade fool you – the inside of this stately gem of Baroque architecture features stunning altar pieces, and the walls were adorned with a special type of white 'marble dust'. Quaint Castel Gandolfo (about 45 minutes by train from Roma Termini) has plenty to offer even for those not hoping to run into the Pope reciting the Angelus in the main square. While the town might be receiving renewed attention thanks to its most famous summer resident, the Roman Castles area is undoubtedly much more than a papal playground. Romans have long retreated to the verdant string of villages in the surrounding Castelli Romani because of the cooler climate in the hills and the proximity to lakes, a welcome refuge from the sweltering, tourist-clogged streets of the capital. Kayak tours are a lovely way to explore nearby Lake Albano, providing a unique look at various points of interest, such as the former villa of Emperor Domitian, ruins from battles that took place on the lake during ancient Roman times and even a secret 'diving board' used by popes to stealthily slip into the lake from the summer residence above. When the weather permits, the tour concludes with a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. Another famous village – there are 17 'Roman Castles' in total – is Frascati, home to its namesake white wine. Given its proximity to Rome, Frascati is popular with day-trippers who take the train here (a 30-minute journey from Rome) to stroll through the town's alleyways and explore its gracious villas and gardens. Wine tasting or lunch at a fraschetta (a local tavern) is a must, to savour the crisp, light-bodied wine born of the area's mineral-rich volcanic soil. Rome's acclaimed pasta dishes – cacio e pepe, gricia, carbonara and amatriciana – can be found here as well, but there are also many special soups and pastas rooted in local peasant tradition, along with the famed porchetta (roasted pig). The town of Genzano di Roma (an hour by train from Rome) is a bit further south and closer to the Castelli Romani's second lake – Lake Nemi, a small, round volcanic body of water. Genzano is known for its centuries-old June flower festival, called the ' Infiorata ', during which colourful petals are painstakingly placed to create vibrant patterns carpeting the main street. Many of the towns border on the Regional Park of the Castelli Romani, making it easy to escape into nature. The park boasts a large swath of woodland, with a variety of hiking trails and scenic picnic spots. When in the area, try the fragoline di Nemi, heart-shaped strawberries that were revered by the ancient Romans who believed them to be the sweet tears of Venus. Don't miss the chance to bring home a sampling of local strawberry jam and Fragolino liqueur – they make for fitting souvenirs from the region. How to do it How to get there Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Rome Ciampino from around £80 return. The airline operates about 30 flights per week. Castel Gandolfo is only a 15-minute taxi ride from Ciampino and about 45 minutes by train from the centre of Rome. A week-long car hire from Europcar for a mid-sized sedan averages around £300. Where to stay Hotel Castelgandolfo (+39 06 93 60 521; has doubles from £120 per night, including breakfast.
Times
06-07-2025
- Times
Pope Leo to take two-week holiday in break with ‘pauperism' of Francis
The Pope began a two-week summer holiday in the Alban Hills on Sunday, reviving a centuries-old papal tradition snubbed by his predecessor. The first pontiff to escape Rome's stifling summer heat in a villa overlooking a volcanic lake in the town of Castel Gandolfo was Urban VIII in 1626, and his example was followed by many of his successors. However Pope Francis, who died earlier this year, did not take formal holidays and shunned the papal villa and its gardens in favour of staycations in his modest Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican, a choice dubbed 'useless pauperism' by the conservative Italian newspaper, Il Giornale. He visited on day trips on just three occasions and opened the villa and gardens to the public in 2016.
Al Arabiya
06-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Pope Aims To Restore 'Body And Spirit' During Vacation That Brings A Pontiff Back To Castel Gandolfo
Pope Leo XIV headed to the papal summer residence on Sunday for a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 10-year pontificate. Leo bid farewell to Rome during his Sunday noon blessing, saying he was taking a brief period of rest. 'I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit,' Leo said from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square. The 69-year-old Chicago native is resuming the papal tradition of leaving the Vatican for the hot summer months in favor of the relatively cooler climes of the Alban Hills south of Rome. The area has been a favorite getaway for Roman rulers since the time of the Emperor Domitian in the first century. It's Leo's first break after a frenetic few weeks of inaugural audiences, outings, and Holy Year celebrations following his May 8 election as history's first American pope. He'll have a handful of public events while on holiday–Masses, Sunday noon prayers, and even some events back at the Vatican–but officials expect he will use the time to read in on key issues facing his new pontificate. Pope Urban VIII built the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo in 1624 to give popes an escape from Rome. It was enlarged over succeeding pontificates to its present size of 55 hectares (136 acres), bigger than Vatican City itself. On the grounds are a working farm, manicured gardens, an observatory run by Jesuit astronomers and, more recently, an environmental educational center inspired by Francis' 2015 encyclical 'Laudato Si' ('Praised Be'). Popes past used it regularly in summer, drawing huge crowds of pilgrims who would come on Sundays to hear his noon blessing, which was delivered inside the inner courtyard of the palace. Pope Benedict XVI famously closed out his papacy in the estate on Feb. 28, 2013. But Francis, a homebody who never took a proper vacation during his 10-year pontificate, decided to remain in Rome in summer. So for Castel Gandolfo, Leo's vacation is a welcome return. The town suffered an initial economic hit from pope-free summers when Francis opted for staycations, but once he turned the papal palace and gardens into a year-round museum, that ended up benefiting the town even more, shopkeepers say. 'He made access to these structures possible, which no pope ever did in 400 years,' said Simone Mariani, who runs a restaurant in town that benefited from the steady flow of tourists much more than the summer-only Sunday crowds of the past. 'He brought tourism that was good for the whole town.' But that didn't make up for the emotional loss felt in a town whose rhythms for generations revolved around regular papal visits. 'When the pope arrived, the palace doors would open, the Swiss Guards would stand at attention and the town would come to life,' said Patrizia Gasperini, whose family runs a souvenir shop on the main piazza a few steps from the palace front door. 'All year we'd miss the color, the movement, but we knew when summer came he would return,' she said. 'So when Pope Francis decided not to come, we were upset on an emotional level beyond the economic level.' Mayor Alberto De Angelis said he hopes Leo will decide to use Castel Gandolfo not just for summer breaks but for periodic vacations during the rest of the year, as St. John Paul II often did. There is also a tradition of popes using their time at Castel Gandolfo to draft important church documents and encyclicals, and De Angelis said he hopes Leo follows in that tradition. 'We hope Pope Leo produces some text, some encyclical here that has a global reach,' he said. 'And then to say that it came from Castel Gandolfo, that he was inspired and produced this text from here for the whole world.'
Associated Press
06-07-2025
- Associated Press
Pope aims to restore 'body and spirit' during vacation that brings a pontiff back to Castel Gandolfo
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday heads to the papal summer residence for a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year pontificate. Leo bid farewell to Rome during his Sunday noon blessing, saying he was taking a 'brief period of rest.' 'I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit,' Leo said from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square. The 69-year-old Chicago native is resuming the papal tradition of leaving the Vatican for the hot summer months in favor of the relatively cooler climes of the Alban Hills, south of Rome. The area has been a favorite getaway for Roman rulers since the time of the Emperor Domitian in the first century. It's Leo's first break after a frenetic few weeks of inaugural audiences, outings and Holy Year celebrations following his May 8 election as history's first American pope. He'll have a handful of public events while on holiday — Masses, Sunday noon prayers and even some events back at the Vatican — but officials expect he will use the time to read in on key issues facing his new pontificate. Pope Urban VIII built the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo in 1624 to give popes an escape from Rome. It was enlarged over succeeding pontificates to its present size of 55 hectares (136 acres), bigger than Vatican City itself. On the grounds are a working farm, manicured gardens, an observatory run by Jesuit astronomers and, more recently, an environmental educational center inspired by Francis' 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). Popes past used it regularly in summer, drawing huge crowds of pilgrims who would come on Sundays to hear his noon blessing, which was delivered inside the inner courtyard of the palace. Pope Benedict XVI famously closed out his papacy in the estate on Feb. 28, 2013. But Francis, a homebody who never took a proper vacation during his 12-year pontificate, decided to remain in Rome in summer. So for Castel Gandolfo, Leo's vacation is a welcome return. The town suffered an initial economic hit from pope-free summers when Francis opted for staycations, but once he turned the papal palace and gardens into a year-round museum that ended up benefiting the town even more, shopkeepers say. 'He made access to these structures possible, which no pope ever did in 400 years,' said Simone Mariani, who runs a restaurant in town that benefited from the steady flow of tourists much more than the summer-only Sunday crowds of the past. 'He brought tourism that was good for the whole town.' But that didn't make up for the emotional loss felt in a town whose rhythms for generations revolved around regular papal visits. When the pope arrived, the palace doors would open, the Swiss Guards would stand at attention and the town would come to life, said Patrizia Gasperini, whose family runs a souvenir shop on the main piazza a few steps from the palace front door. 'All year, we'd miss the color, the movement, but we knew when summer came he would return,' she said. 'So when Pope Francis decided not to come, we were upset on an emotional level, beyond the economic level.' Mayor Alberto De Angelis said he hopes Leo will decide to use Castel Gandolfo not just for summer breaks, but for periodic vacations during the rest of the year, as St. John Paul II often did. There is also a tradition of popes using their time at Castel Gandolfo to draft important church documents and encyclicals, and De Angelis said he hopes Leo follows in that tradition. 'We hope Pope Leo produces some text, some encyclical here that has a global reach,' he said. 'And then to say that it came from Castel Gandolfo, that he was inspired and produced this text from here for the whole world.' ___ Stellacci reported from Castel Gandolfo, Italy. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Independent
06-07-2025
- The Independent
Pope aims to restore 'body and spirit' during vacation that brings a pontiff back to Castel Gandolfo
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday heads to the papal summer residence for a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year pontificate. Leo bid farewell to Rome during his Sunday noon blessing, saying he was taking a 'brief period of rest.' 'I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit,' Leo said from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square. The 69-year-old Chicago native is resuming the papal tradition of leaving the Vatican for the hot summer months in favor of the relatively cooler climes of the Alban Hills, south of Rome. The area has been a favorite getaway for Roman rulers since the time of the Emperor Domitian in the first century. It's Leo's first break after a frenetic few weeks of inaugural audiences, outings and Holy Year celebrations following his May 8 election as history's first American pope. He'll have a handful of public events while on holiday — Masses, Sunday noon prayers and even some events back at the Vatican — but officials expect he will use the time to read in on key issues facing his new pontificate. Pope Urban VIII built the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo in 1624 to give popes an escape from Rome. It was enlarged over succeeding pontificates to its present size of 55 hectares (136 acres), bigger than Vatican City itself. On the grounds are a working farm, manicured gardens, an observatory run by Jesuit astronomers and, more recently, an environmental educational center inspired by Francis' 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). Popes past used it regularly in summer, drawing huge crowds of pilgrims who would come on Sundays to hear his noon blessing, which was delivered inside the inner courtyard of the palace. Pope Benedict XVI famously closed out his papacy in the estate on Feb. 28, 2013. But Francis, a homebody who never took a proper vacation during his 12-year pontificate, decided to remain in Rome in summer. So for Castel Gandolfo, Leo's vacation is a welcome return. The town suffered an initial economic hit from pope-free summers when Francis opted for staycations, but once he turned the papal palace and gardens into a year-round museum that ended up benefiting the town even more, shopkeepers say. 'He made access to these structures possible, which no pope ever did in 400 years,' said Simone Mariani, who runs a restaurant in town that benefited from the steady flow of tourists much more than the summer-only Sunday crowds of the past. 'He brought tourism that was good for the whole town.' But that didn't make up for the emotional loss felt in a town whose rhythms for generations revolved around regular papal visits. When the pope arrived, the palace doors would open, the Swiss Guards would stand at attention and the town would come to life, said Patrizia Gasperini, whose family runs a souvenir shop on the main piazza a few steps from the palace front door. 'All year, we'd miss the color, the movement, but we knew when summer came he would return,' she said. 'So when Pope Francis decided not to come, we were upset on an emotional level, beyond the economic level.' Mayor Alberto De Angelis said he hopes Leo will decide to use Castel Gandolfo not just for summer breaks, but for periodic vacations during the rest of the year, as St. John Paul II often did. There is also a tradition of popes using their time at Castel Gandolfo to draft important church documents and encyclicals, and De Angelis said he hopes Leo follows in that tradition. 'We hope Pope Leo produces some text, some encyclical here that has a global reach,' he said. 'And then to say that it came from Castel Gandolfo, that he was inspired and produced this text from here for the whole world.' ___ Stellacci reported from Castel Gandolfo, Italy. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
