Pope Leo XIV delights with a sporty holiday in Castel Gandolfo!

Pope Leo XIV delights with a sporty holiday in Castel Gandolfo!

On July 6, 2025, Pope Leo XIV will begin his vacation in Castel Gandolfo. This classic summer residence of the popes will be a place of relaxation and reflection for him over the next two weeks. Leo plans to celebrate two public Masses, four Angelus prayers and a general audience during his vacation, underscoring his actively different approach compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who barely used the residence and instead converted it into a museum, while the gardens now serve as an ecological project.

In contrast to Francis, who prefers to remain in the Vatican, Leo XIV will actively experience the summer residence. He will live in the Villa Barberini and not in the Apostolic Palace. Among the planned activities, sporting activity stands out in particular; Leo XIV is active in sports and trained regularly in the gym before his election as Pope. A newly built tennis court at Castel Gandolfo is being used for games, and the pool built by John Paul II is also back in use, although paparazzi photos are to be avoided.

Visit to Borgo Laudato Si

A special activity during his stay will be a visit to Borgo Laudato Si, a project commemorating Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'. Leo XIV has announced that he will celebrate a private mass for the preservation of creation in this area on July 9th. The Borgo encompasses 135 acres of land, including 86 acres of gardens and 49 acres of agricultural land, and promotes biodiversity and sustainable interaction between people and nature.

Leo is accompanied by Cardinal Fabio Baggio and Father Manuel Dorantes. He also visits the Garden of the Virgin Mary and the Belvedere Gardens, as well as the Cryptoporticus, the archaeological remains of Emperor Domitian's audience hall. These places not only offer the Pope places to retreat, but also give him an impression of the history and ecological mission behind the Borgo.

Historical significance of Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo has a long history as a retreat for popes seeking to escape the heat of Rome. Pope Pius XII opened the villa in 1944 for over 12,000 people to escape bombings. Castel Gandolfo was also used during the Second World War to protect around 3,000 Italian Jews from persecution.

Leo XIV concludes his visit to the Papal Palace and Villa Barberini before returning to the Vatican in the early afternoon. His stay at Castel Gandolfo is seen by many as a sign of hope and renewal, especially in light of the commitment to the planet and the teachings of the encyclical Laudato Si'.