Admiring the landscapes of Castel Gandolfo awaits you.
**Pope Leo XIV Revives Centuries-Old Tradition at Castel Gandolfo**
Castel Gandolfo, a picturesque town nestled in the Alban Hills south of Rome, has been a sanctuary for popes for over four centuries. Originally built as a fortress by the Gandolfi family in the 13th century, the town's name derives from the Italian word for castle, "Castel."
In 1596, Pope Clement VIII acquired the property for the Papal States, and during the 17th century, Pope Urban VIII commissioned architect Carlo Maderno to transform the fortress into a papal residence. This led to the construction of the Apostolic Palace, which became the official papal summer retreat.
The tradition of popes spending their summers at Castel Gandolfo began with Pope Alexander VII in the 17th century and continued uninterrupted for centuries. Pope Leo XIV, the current pontiff, has recently resumed this tradition, following a break by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Pope Francis, during his tenure, focused on ecological projects in the surrounding estate and transformed the Apostolic Palace into a museum in 2016. However, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to vacation at Villa Barberini, a side building in the city center, rather than the museum.
Pope Leo XIV's summer stay at Castel Gandolfo began in July 2025. During his visit, he has celebrated Mass locally and engaged with the community, honouring the residence's historical and spiritual significance. He has also cancelled all audiences during his vacation.
Castel Gandolfo offers a cooler climate overlooking Lake Albano, providing respite from Rome's heat. The estate includes not only the palace but also extensive gardens—the Barberini Gardens—which integrate Renaissance garden design with ancient archaeological remains.
The town of Castel Gandolfo, with a population of 9,000 people, is home to ten hectares of grounds, making it larger than Vatican City. The residence boasts a tennis court, which was installed during Pope Leo XIV's tenure, and a bocce court.
Pope Francis spent his summer tenure in the Vatican, in his apartment in the Santa Marta guest house. Prior to his tenure, Pope Leo XIV had not taken a vacation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Pope Benedict also spent time at Castel Gandolfo after his surprise resignation.
Interestingly, a Bavarian flag and "Lexicon for Theology and Church" in German are still present in Castel Gandolfo, remnants of previous popes' visits. Pope Leo XIV will give the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo next week, further emphasising the town's continued significance as a papal retreat.
Francis declared the Apostolic Palace a museum in 2016 and it is now open to tourists. Castel Gandolfo's rich history, blending ancient Roman ruins, medieval fortress, and papal residence, makes it a unique and fascinating destination for visitors.
Pope Leo XIV cherished the cooler climate overlooking Lake Albano at Castel Gandolfo and chose it as a location for his summer lifestyle, opting to stay at Villa Barberini instead of the Apostolic Palace museum. The town's captivating blend of ancient Roman ruins, medieval fortress, and papal travel residences attracts visitors, making it a unique and fascinating destination.
