Pope Leo XIV to Revive Tradition: A Summer Retreat in Castel Gandolfo

The announcement of Pope Leo XIV's two-week retreat in Castel Gandolfo has reignited local enthusiasm and prompted a flurry of preparatory activities.

For four centuries, popes traditionally escaped the summer heat of Rome for the cool refuge of Castel Gandolfo, located 18 miles southwest of the capital. John Paul II and Benedict XVI each made annual summer retreats there, balancing rest with their ecclesiastical duties. However, this practice stalled with Pope Francis, who visited only three times in 2013 and ultimately chose not to return, leaving many in the town feeling abandoned.

This sentiment was captured by local resident Maurizio Carosi, who lamented the lack of papal presence. The mood shifted dramatically with last month's announcement that Pope Leo XIV plans to spend two weeks in Castel Gandolfo this July, bringing not only relief to residents but also a surge in local renovations in anticipation of his visit.

Alberto De Angelis, the mayor of Castel Gandolfo, expressed the significance of the papacy to the town, stating that it is intrinsically linked to its identity. “You can’t imagine St. Peter’s without the pope, and you can’t imagine Castel Gandolfo without the pope,” he stressed.

Excitement among the locals has reached a fever pitch, with business owners and residents eagerly preparing for the pope’s arrival this Sunday. The visit is expected to inject new life into a town that has not only hosted popes but also flourished in their presence over generations.