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For Robert Prevost, summer has turned out very differently than he imagined. Robert Prevost never imagined that the conclave that followed Pope Francis' sudden death would culminate in his election as the new Pontiff. He entered the majestic Sistine Chapel as a cardinal and walked out on May 8 as Leo XIV, the new representative of God on Earth.
From the very first moments of his papacy, when he addressed the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, it was clear that Pope Leo XIV would continue the path of openness set by his predecessor while bringing his own personal touch. The spirit remains, but subtle changes are taking shape. One of them is vacations. His Holiness has chosen to spend a few days at Castel Gandolfo, embracing a long-standing tradition with a fresh perspective. Nestled just outside Rome, Castel Gandolfo has been the go-to summer retreat for popes for over 400 years.
On July 5, around 5:00 p.m., Leo XIV arrived in Castel Gandolfo, about 25 kilometers from Rome. He’s staying at a property called Villa Barberini, since the rest of the Papal Palace now functions as a museum. Pope Francis never used it as a residence during his papacy and chose instead to open it to the public. Outside this summer retreat, many faithful had gathered to greet him. Local stores swiftly joined in the welcome, despite only learning about it minutes before his arrival. One bar even managed to hang a banner that read, "Welcome, Pope Leo." And just like that, his first vacation as Pontiff began.
Villa Barberini is surrounded by stunning gardens, which make the temperature a few degrees cooler than in Rome, where the heat soars at this time of year. In this oasis, Leo XIV has been able to cool off in the indoor pool and enjoy one of his favorite pastimes, which is tennis. He even joked publicly that he would be willing to take part in the charity tournament organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies as long as he did not have to face Jannik Sinner, the current world number one, whom he recently welcomed in a private audience.
““I consider myself quite an amateur tennis player," the Pope commented in an interview in 2023. “Since leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court (laughs). However, this new job has not provided me with much free time for tennis so far.
In this retreat on the shores of Lake Albano, Pope Leo XIV is also taking advantage of a lighter schedule to work on his first encyclical. It is expected to be titled Rerum Digitalium and will focus on artificial intelligence. This is a timely subject he has touched on in several of his speeches. He says, “True wisdom is more about knowing life's true meaning than having data.”
He also urges that any decisions involving AI should be considered opportunities for "intergenerational learning." This, he says, can help younger generations integrate truth into their moral and spiritual lives and prepare them to make mature choices that contribute to a more united and compassionate world. “In the end, authentic wisdom has more to do with recognizing the true meaning of life than with the availability of data,” affirms Pope Leo XIV.
Apart from moments of personal reflection, he has consistently fulfilled his duties during his stay in Castel Gandolfo. He led the Sunday Angelus on July 13 and 20 from the Plaza de la Libertà and welcomed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, who had already attended the mass that marked the beginning of his papacy.
On Monday morning, he visited the Santa Marta retirement home, where he spent about an hour touring the facilities and speaking with everyone present. “You have given so much in your lives,” he said. “And you continue to be witnesses, witnesses of prayer, of faith, a family that offers to the Lord what it has,” the Pope told them.
The provost is expected to spend a few more days in August at this summer residence in the Lazio region, where people are celebrating the return of the papal vacation tradition.