Pope Leo XIV visited the town of Castel Gandolfo, 25 kilometres from Rome, on Thursday evening.
On July 6-20, he will spend his summer holiday at the Villa Barberini, combining rest with prayer and pastoral duties.
According to the Vatican Press Office, the visit was dedicated to inspecting renovation work ahead of the imminent move. The Pope will take up residence in the Papal Villas, now known as the Laudato si’ courtyard: this ecological and educational project was created by Pope Francis in 2023.
Educational activities inspired by the encyclical Laudato si’ and the concept of integral ecology are carried out here. On July 9 the Pope will celebrate the first Mass for the protection of creation (pro custodia creationis), which he recently ordered to be added to the Roman Missal at the Laudato si’ eco-centre.
On July 13, at 10 a.m., Leo XIV will preside over Holy Mass in the Papal Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova, and then at noon he will recite the Angelus prayer in Piazza della Libertà in front of the Apostolic Palace.
On July 20 at 9:30 a.m., the Pope will preside over Mass in the Cathedral of Albano: it was with this diocese that Cardinal Prevost was associated before his election to the Apostolic See. After the service, he will recite the Angelus prayer together with the pilgrims and then return to the Vatican. There will be no general or private audiences in July, with the exception of the general audience on July 30.
