The pope is in for a holy holiday tradition. After a surprising rise to the top position, Pope Leo XIV will be taking a summer holiday. He recently announced plans to stay at the Castel Gandolfo — a 135-acre complex in a hilltop town on the outskirts of Rome that offers breathtaking views of Lake Albano and has hosted popes for centuries.
In a devotional message at Saint Peter’s Square on July 6, Pope Leo XIV shared his plans to travel to the Lazio region, about 20 miles outside Rome, for a “short period of rest.” He hopes that “everyone will be able to enjoy some vacation time in order to restore both body and spirit” — something that likely comes easily at the Castel Gandolfo.
