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Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
CNN
07-07-2025
- CNN
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
CNN
07-07-2025
- CNN
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
CNN
07-07-2025
- CNN
The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation
After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision. For centuries popes have spent their summers in the papal palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo, a town nestled in the hills above Lake Albano. The small town, approximately 15 miles southeast of Rome, is 1,400 feet above sea level and provides an escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Eternal City. This is where the first American pope is going to spend two weeks this month, having arrived on Sunday, before returning for several days over the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, which is Italy's national holiday of Ferragosto. During the Second World War, the papal summer residence provided refuge for Jewish refugees and more recently was the setting for 'The Two Popes,' the Netflix movie that explores the differing visions for the church's future of Benedict XVI and his successor Francis. It's a peaceful oasis that offers majestic views over the deep blue lake with those visiting the area overlooking Albano sometimes calling it an anticamera del paradiso — an antechamber of paradise. By going to Castel Gandolfo, Leo is reviving a tradition of popes leaving the Vatican to take a summer break, which had been suspended by Francis. Leo's predecessor never took a vacation outside of the Vatican and instead opted for a staycation in his Casa Santa Marta residence. Francis turned Castel Gandolfo into a museum and opened its gardens to the public. Visitors to the palace start their tour with a courtyard display of old popemobiles and other vehicles used by the popes, while inside they can peek at the papal bedroom, study and chapel. The last pontiff to use the palace was Benedict XVI who came to Castel Gandolfo after his 2013 resignation, making his final public appearance as pope from the balcony. While Leo is reviving a tradition, he is not turning the clock back. He won't be staying in the palace (acquired in 1596 and featuring its own Renaissance-style gardens) but at the Villa Barberini, which has a terrace that overlooks Lake Albano. It is located in gardens created around the ruins of former Roman Emperor Domitian's first-century villa. While the Vatican has said Leo's time in Castel Gandolfo is an opportunity to rest, he could make use of a swimming pool installed by Pope John Paul II or, as a keen tennis player, go to the Tennis Club of Castel Gandolfo nearby. The town's 8,900 residents rely heavily on tourism so having the pope come and stay is seen as helping the local economy by attracting visitors. During Francis' papacy, some residents felt bereft without the pope and said they missed out on the economic and social benefits of the papal presence. On July 13 and 20, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in a cathedral and a church nearby, and then lead the Sunday Angelus prayer from the town's central piazza. He'll do the same on August 15. The moments of public prayer in the more intimate setting of the piazza offer an opportunity for people to have a closer encounter with the pope than when he leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Vatican's apostolic palace. The mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Alberto de Angelis, described Pope Leo's stay as an 'important sign of affection, gratitude and recognition' for the town and its residents. He told CNN the area would feel the benefit of tourism and 'all commercial activities.' The main square is surrounded by cafes and souvenir shops while the town has plenty of restaurants and a popular mosaic workshop and store, La Musa Mosaici. 'We hope that he [Leo] doesn't stay only on his property, but that he comes to visit the town, comes to find his shopkeepers, his fellow citizens, that he comes to eat with us,' the mayor said. De Angelis pointed out that Castel Gandolfo is a 'Vatican Two' — a stand in for the ecclesiastical city — which is used to welcoming people from across the world. While he prefers it when popes come on vacation, he said Francis' decision to open the papal palace and gardens brought a boost to the local economy and tourism. The Vatican's Castel Gandolfo estate includes 135 acres of both farmland and gardens, and is also home to the historical Vatican observatory, which specializes in astronomical research. Francis wanted the Vatican gardens to promote care for the environment through 'Borgo Laudato Si',' a project named after the late pope's encyclical on protecting the planet. Leo is building on this commitment. On July 9, while in Castel Gandolfo, he will celebrate a private Mass with staff at the ecology project 'for the care of creation' using special new texts and prayers released for use in the Church by the Vatican on July 3. The Vatican is not the only entity involved in ecological work in the town. Valentina Biagini, a Castel Gandolfo resident and environmental and sustainability consultant, has been involved in establishing a sustainability center by Lake Albano that includes a bistro serving plant-based cuisine. She hopes that the pope's visit doesn't lead to a large one-off influx of visitors. 'It's important that there aren't too many people all at the same time,' she told CNN. 'It would be best if in the future we would be able to have sustainable tourism as well, which means not [too] many people all together.' Three days before departing, Leo, who is already known for his methodical style, paid a visit to Castel Gandolfo to check on the Villa Barberini, where Vatican staff had been preparing for his stay in recent days. Aside from leading services, the pope is expected to spend much of his time out of public sight during his time on vacation. Along with environmental efforts and attracting tourism to the town, the pope's time away from the Vatican also sends a message to a fast-paced world of hyper-activity: everyone, even the pope, needs a break.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- The Independent
Pope Leo's trip to picturesque lake town revives centuries-old papal tradition
A long-dormant papal tradition is set for revival this Sunday as Pope Leo XIV embarks on a summer retreat to Castel Gandolfo, a move that has ignited hopes of a significant tourism boom for the picturesque lakeside town. This decision marks a notable departure from the tenure of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, who famously avoided such breaks. Pope Leo, who ascended to the papacy on 8 May following Francis's death, will spend two weeks, from 6-20 July, at the historic residence. Nestled just an hour's drive south of Rome, the tranquil hill town, home to approximately 8,900 residents, overlooks the serene waters of Lake Albano. The Vatican has held ownership of a grand papal palace in the town, complete with extensive Renaissance -style gardens, since 1596. However, the last pontiff to use the residence for a summer holiday did so 12 years ago. Francis, known for his rejection of much of the papacy's traditional pomp and privilege, opted instead to spend his summers within his Vatican residence, foregoing any official vacation. Leo's upcoming stay has ignited optimism among Castel Gandolfo's mayor and local business owners. They anticipate that the presence of the new leader of the Catholic Church will draw a significant influx of tourists, eager to catch a glimpse of Leo and explore the historic surroundings. "Pope Leo has given us a wonderful gift," Stefano Carosi, the owner of a coffee shop on the town's main square, said. "The pope has always been important here ... because he attracts people." Mayor Alberto De Angelis said residents were excited 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. While Leo is expected to spend most of his vacation out of the public eye, staying in a Vatican-owned building behind a gated wall, residents and tourists will have the opportunity to see him at religious celebrations on 13 and 20 July. Dozens of popes have spent the summer months at Castel Gandolfo, where it is cooler than in Rome, which has been sweltering in an early summer heatwave with temperatures reaching more than 37C. Francis left 'long-lasting' museum legacy Francis had Castel Gandolfo's papal palace turned into a museum and opened the gardens to visitors. Leo will not stay at the palace and the museum will remain open to the public, instead staying at another Vatican property. Although Francis never spent the night in Castel Gandolfo, residents said his decision to open the museum has had long-lasting benefits. Marina Rossi, owner of a mosaic studio in the town, said tourists used to come only in the summer to see the pope at one of his audiences, but now they came more frequently. "It was more of a hit-and-run tourism, because there was the audience and then they would leave," she said. "Now there is a steady flow of tourism throughout the whole year." Now, with Leo coming back, said Rossi, it gave the town the chance to attract even more tourists. "It's an important moment," she said. "I won't hide my happiness." As for what Leo might do during his vacation, Maurizio Carosi, brother of Stefano, had a suggestion, saying he'd tell the pope: "If you want a good glass of wine, come visit with me!"
