Pope Leo XIV on Sunday restarted a papal tradition, leaving the Vatican for the summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo.
The small town about 15 miles south of the Vatican has hosted popes for the summer dating back to the 1600s, but Pope Francis never took a summer vacation during his 12-year papacy.
Leo will reside at Castel Gandolfo from Sunday through July 20, according to the Vatican. He was greeted by a road lined with well-wishers as he arrived in town.
“I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit,” Leo said before leaving the Vatican.
Castel Gandolfo is a massive 136-acre property that is actually physically larger than Vatican City. The small town around it traditionally drew revenue from the Pope’s summer visits.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV looks at the people from the terrace of the summer papal estate in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday. (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
Instead, Francis transformed large parts of the property into a museum, which drew visitors and pilgrims all year. Because of the transformation, Leo will actually stay at a smaller residence on the estate, where the Vatican secretary of state traditionally stayed on trips in the past.
“He made access to these structures possible, which no pope ever did in 400 years,” restaurant owner Simone Mariani said of Francis’ changes. “He brought tourism that was good for the whole town.”
Castel Gandolfo is perhaps best known for housing Pope Benedict XVI after he stepped down from the papacy in 2013. When Benedict departed the Vatican, his helicopter landed at the villa, and Francis greeted him there less than a month later. Eventually, Benedict moved back to the Vatican and Francis ordered the property’s transformation.
With News Wire Services
