Castel Gandolfo

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Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in the chapel at the Carabinieri station in Castel Gandolfo on July 15, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV: God’s love is so great that Jesus does not keep even his mother for himself

Jul 15, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on July 15 in the chapel at the Carabinieri station in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, where... Read more

Pope Leo XIV waves as he enters Liberty Square in Castel Gandolfo to give his first public Angelus address from the lakeside town 18 miles southeast of Rome on July 13, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV greeted by international crowd at first Angelus from Castel Gandolfo

Jul 13, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Leo XIV prayed the Angelus on Sunday, July 13, from Castel Gandolfo, where he is taking a two-week summer... Read more

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Care of Creation at Castel Gandolfo on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for creation with Latin prayers in Castel Gandolfo gardens

Jul 9, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

“We should pray for the conversion of many people, in and outside of the Church, who still do not recognize... Read more

Pope Leo greets throngs of faithful in St. Peter’s Square on June 11, 2025.

Vatican announces Pope Leo XIV’s public Mass schedule for August and September

The Vatican has announced Pope Leo XIV’s public Mass schedule for August and September, following his current stay through July... Read more

Pope Leo XIV greets people as he arrives for a two-week stay in the summer papal estate in Castel Gandolfo, 25 miles southeast of Rome, on July 6, 2025. The newly elected pope revives a long-standing papal tradition paused under Francis, as Castel Gandolfo prepares to welcome a pope for the first time in over a decade.

Pope Leo XIV arrives in Castel Gandolfo for summer vacation

Jul 6, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Crowds of people standing behind barriers greeted the Holy Father, taking photos and shouting “Viva Papa!” as he walked toward... Read more

An aerial view of the papal palace of Castel Gandolfo near Rome. The apostolic palace is a complex of buildings served for centuries as a summer residence for the pope and overlooks Lake Albano.

Pope Leo XIV moves to the ‘second Vatican City,’ Castel Gandolfo

Jul 5, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pontiff will stay on the hilltop Vatican property “for a period of rest” from the afternoon of July 6... Read more

An aerial view of the papal palace of Castel Gandolfo near Rome. The apostolic palace is a complex of buildings served for centuries as a summer residence for the pope and overlooks Lake Albano.

Castel Gandolfo prepares to welcome Pope Leo XIV: ‘The heart of the city returns’

Jun 26, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Castel Gandolfo has been for centuries a place of rest, prayer, and study for popes. Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul... Read more

The Vatican Gardens at Castel Gandolfo is located on the wooded slopes of the Alban Hills, overlooking the blue waters of a small volcanic crater lake.

Castel Gandolfo: Pope Leo XIV to resume papal summer vacation tradition in lakeside town

Jun 17, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

A spokeswoman for the town of Castel Gandolfo told CNA that Pope Leo XIV is expected to arrive sometime during... Read more

A new tour of the Vatican Gardens at the pope’s summer palace in Castel Gandolfo is opening in spring 2025 for jubilee pilgrims who wish to escape the crowds in Rome for a day and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of God’s creation.

PHOTOS: New Jubilee tour of Vatican Gardens at Castel Gandolfo highlights beauty of creation

Jan 11, 2025

By Courtney Mares

A new tour for Jubilee 2025 of the Vatican Gardens at the pope’s summer palace in Castel Gandolfo aims to... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis to take 8-week break in liturgical schedule this summer

Jun 5, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The 87-year-old pope does not have any public Masses on his schedule for eight weeks in July and August, according... Read more

Archive photo of Benedict XVI in the papal gardens at Castel Gandolfo.

Benedict XVI pays a surprise visit to Castel Gandolfo

Jul 26, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI left Vatican City Thursday to make a surprise visit to Castel Gandolfo.  Read more

The private chapel in the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo.

Castel Gandolfo, the summer home of Popes, opens to the public

Oct 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

Used for centuries as a private summer residence for Popes, the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo has now been opened... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI, May 11, 2010.

After a two-week vacation, Benedict XVI heads back to Rome

Jul 14, 2015

By Elise Harris

With two restful weeks outside of the Vatican behind him and two honorary doctorates in hand, Benedict XVI has again... Read more

Pope Francis and Benedict XVI at the Monastery of Mater Ecclesiae in Vatican City on June 30, 2015.

Francis wishes Benedict XVI a good summer in Castel Gandolfo

Jun 30, 2015

By Elise Harris

Before heading out for his two-week stay at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo this summer, retired pontiff Benedict XVI... Read more

The papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

Pope Francis will brave Rome's summer heat

Jun 6, 2013

Breaking with the practice of his predecessors, Pope Francis will not take a long summer vacation and will stay in... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope says Christ's life was one of sacrifice, not popularity

Aug 19, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI said that Jesus did not seek recognition during his public ministry but chose instead to preach the... Read more

The Pontifical Villa called "Villa Barberini" in Castel Gandolfo.

Villa director reveals rich history behind Pope's summer home

Aug 8, 2012

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Saverio Petrillo, director of the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo, knows that the villas and farm at Pope Benedict's summer... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Summer with Pope the best time of the year, Italian bishop says

Jul 25, 2012

Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Castel Gandolfo, Italy said that with the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI for his summer vacation,... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict leaves Vatican for summer residence

Jul 3, 2012

On July 3, Pope Benedict left the Vatican for his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, located outside of Rome.  Read more