For over four centuries, the papal summer retreat in the picturesque town of Castel Gandolfo, located 18 miles southwest of Rome, has provided popes with a refuge from the sweltering heat of the capital. Previously favored by popes including John Paul II and Benedict XVI, the town fell quiet after Pope Francis chose not to return after his initial visits in 2013, causing local sentiment to shift.
“Our community felt orphaned without the papal presence,” reflected Maurizio Carosi, a local resident, capturing the void left by Francis’s absence. However, the announcement of Pope Leo XIV's two-week summer stay in July has breathed new life into Castel Gandolfo. Expected to arrive Sunday, the news has prompted enthusiastic preparations throughout the town, including renovations of various papal properties.
Alberto De Angelis, the mayor of Castel Gandolfo, expressed the historical bond the town shares with the papacy. "The Vatican is part of the DNA of our city; you can’t imagine Castel Gandolfo without the pope," he stated, highlighting the significance of papal visits to the local identity.
The revival of this tradition is welcomed not only by local businesses, which anticipate an influx of tourists eager to once again see the pope in their town, but also by residents yearning for a sense of connection to the Vatican. Joyful murmurs fill the air, as Castel Gandolfo prepares to host its anticipated guest.
