Even pontiffs need a holiday: Pope Leo XIV’s 3-week stay at Castel Gandolfo concludes

After months filled with meetings, special liturgies, General Audiences, and speeches, Pope Leo XIV spent most of July at a different pace, residing for several weeks at a papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, a town about one hour south of the Vatican. 

During his period of rest in Castel Gandolfo that began July 5, the Holy Father spent time reading, praying, and enjoying some sport, according to Vatican News. 

Pope Leo has been known to enjoy tennis in particular, a hobby he cultivated even when he was a cardinal. The landscape of the apostolic residence in Castel Gandolfo is particularly conducive to outdoor recreation, and Pope Leo reportedly spends some of his time there playing tennis, swimming, and riding horses, as Zeale News previously reported. 

>> Pope Leo plays tennis as part of Augustinian charism << 

In October 2025, Pope Leo was gifted a white purebred Arabian horse, named Proton, by a Polish donor and horse farm owner who was inspired to give the gift after seeing photos of future Pope Leo on horseback during his time in Peru. According to The Times, Proton has since been stabled at a garden at Castel Gandolfo along with another horse named Saleroso, who was brought to the garden in September 2025 when Pope Leo opened a center for ecological farming and education. 

>> Pope Leo dedicates June prayer intention to 'the values of sports' << 

Vatican News reported that Pope Leo’s schedule during his stay in Castel Gandolfo included few public events. He still led the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace each Sunday throughout the month, and he also attended a concert July 18 organized by the Diocese of Albano in the courtyard. The other public event he participated in was a luncheon in the pontifical gardens with about 200 people from the Diocese of Rome who face situations of social vulnerability. 

Beyond this, the Pope made three private visits, including on July 20 to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino. Two days later, he visited the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity at Vallepietra and the Monasteries of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica at Subiaco. Throughout July, the Holy See Press Office still regularly publicized resignations and appointments determined by Pope Leo, along with a small number of other messages. 

>> Pope Leo appoints Archbishop Cordileone to Vatican’s highest court <<

Pope Leo concluded his time at Castel Gandolfo July 28 after greeting a group of people who were present to bid him farewell. According to Vatican News, he blessed several children who had come with their parents to be present for the evening departure. 

This is the second summer Pope Leo has stayed at Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest. Zeale News reported in June 2025 that he was reviving the longstanding papal custom of staying at Castel Gandolfo, which has been a summer home for popes for centuries.