In brief
Residents express joy as the Vatican's presence is set to reignite the town's vitality and culture.
In a highly anticipated move, Pope Leo XIV is set to revive a 400-year-old tradition by spending part of his summer in the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, located 18 miles southwest of Rome. This retreat marks a significant shift from the practices of Pope Francis, who ceased making the annual summer pilgrimage to the previously beloved pontifical palace after making only three visits in 2013 following his election.The announcement of Pope Leo XIV's upcoming two-week stay has brought a wave of excitement among the residents of Castel Gandolfo, noted for their sentiments of having been "orphaned" after Pope Francis discontinued the tradition. Local businesses and homeowners have begun hurried renovations in anticipation of the returning papal presence.“The Vatican is integral to our city's identity,” remarked Alberto De Angelis, the town's mayor, emphasizing the connection between the pope and the community. He likens the cultural significance of Castel Gandolfo to that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome itself. The forthcoming arrival of Pope Leo XIV is expected to enhance local tourism and bring back a sense of historic importance that has been missing in recent years.As the community prepares for the pope's visit, the sentiment is clear: the return of the papacy to Castel Gandolfo symbolizes not just a moment of rest for the pope, but a revived spirit for the town and its residents.
