The Prefecture of the Papal Household has announced that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will spend a period of rest at the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo. The pontiff is scheduled to depart the Vatican on the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, returning on July 20 .
During this two-week retreat, the Pope will lead several public liturgical events:
- On Sunday, July 13, at 10:00 AM, he will celebrate Mass at the Pontifical Parish of San Tommaso da Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, followed at noon by the Angelus prayer in Piazza della Libertà before the Papal Palace.
- On Sunday, July 20, at 9:30 AM, he will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of Albano, then again pray the Angelus at noon in Piazza della Libertà in Castel Gandolfo, before returning to the Vatican that afternoon.
Throughout July, all private audiences and the general Wednesday audience scheduled for the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd will be suspended. The general audience will resume on Wednesday, July 30.
Looking ahead, the Pope will again preside over liturgies at Castel Gandolfo:
- On Friday, August 15, at 10:00 AM, for the Feast of the Assumption, followed by the Angelus at noon in Piazza della Libertà.
- On Sunday, August 17, at noon he will lead the Angelus in the same square, and then return to the Vatican later that day .
Castel Gandolfo has served as the traditional summer residence for popes since Pope Pius XII re-established it in August 1946. The estate includes the Papal Palace—originally conceived in the 17th century under Pope Urban VIII and later expanded under Pope Alexander VII—and the surrounding Pontifical Villas nestled in the serene Albano countryside. Over the years, numerous pontiffs have rested here, and although Pope Francis has eschewed lengthy stays, opting for the Vatican itself, Pope Leo XIV will follow a time-honored tradition by retreating to Castel Gandolfo for the summer .