Pope Leo XIV begins summer holiday in Castel Gandolfo

Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV has begun his summer holidays at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo. The Pope arrived yesterday afternoon and will stay until July 27.

aAstatement from the Prefecture of the Papal Household released yesterday said: "In the afternoon of today, Sunday, July 5, the Holy Father will move to the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest, until Monday, July 27."

The statement explains that all general audiences will be suspended during this period and will resume on Wednesday, August 5. Private and special audiences are also suspended. On the Sundays of July, the Angelus will be recited from Castel Gandolfo, rather than from St Peter's Square.

In the summer 2025, Pope Leo XIV spent 16 days at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, from July 6 to July 22. During that time, he still continued to carry out some public engagements, including celebrating a Mass at the 'Laudato Si' village' ('Borgo Laudato Si'') dedicated to the care of the environment.

He also visited the Pontifical Parish of St Thomas of Villanova and the Cathedral of Albano.

That period was also marked by several important meetings, including one with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom the Pope received at Villa Barberini, and a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the Israeli attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Pope Leo later also held a phone conversation with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine.