For 400 years, popes have found refuge from the intense summer heat of Rome in Castel Gandolfo, a serene town just 18 miles southwest of the capital. Most of Pope John Paul II's and Pope Benedict XVI's summers were spent in this beautiful villa, combining rest with work. However, the tradition was disrupted when Pope Francis decided to forgo the retreat altogether. “We were orphaned,” lamented resident Maurizio Carosi, reflecting the sense of loss among locals.
The sentiment has shifted back to joy with the recent announcement that Pope Leo XIV will spend two weeks in Castel Gandolfo this July, stating it would be a “period of rest.” This news has been received with fanfare; the mayor, Alberto De Angelis, expressed how integral the Vatican is to the town’s identity, declaring, “You can’t imagine Castel Gandolfo without the pope.”
Local businesses are also preparing for the influx of visitors as renovations and improvements dart across the town. With Pope Leo XIV's arrival this Sunday, the community anticipates not just a resurgence of tourism but a reaffirmation of their historical ties to the Vatican. The pope, and the presence of dignitaries that accompany him, are seen as part of the very DNA of Castel Gandolfo. Residents are rallying in their enthusiasm as they prepare for what they hope will be a return to normalcy in their centuries-old bond with the papacy.
The sentiment has shifted back to joy with the recent announcement that Pope Leo XIV will spend two weeks in Castel Gandolfo this July, stating it would be a “period of rest.” This news has been received with fanfare; the mayor, Alberto De Angelis, expressed how integral the Vatican is to the town’s identity, declaring, “You can’t imagine Castel Gandolfo without the pope.”
Local businesses are also preparing for the influx of visitors as renovations and improvements dart across the town. With Pope Leo XIV's arrival this Sunday, the community anticipates not just a resurgence of tourism but a reaffirmation of their historical ties to the Vatican. The pope, and the presence of dignitaries that accompany him, are seen as part of the very DNA of Castel Gandolfo. Residents are rallying in their enthusiasm as they prepare for what they hope will be a return to normalcy in their centuries-old bond with the papacy.
