American Peruvian Pope Souvenirs Stalled as Vatican Retailers Await Sacred License

With pilgrims flooding Rome for the Jubilee Year, souvenir stands near St. Peter’s Square are stocked with every pope except the one currently leading the Catholic Church. Two months after his election, León XIV’s official image still hasn’t been...

How a Belarusian Blogger and Journalist Discovered the Facts of Catholicism

Asya Poplavskaya encountered Christ in the course of her career. Belarus has significantly lower wages compared to Western European countries. Most people can’t afford traveling or dining out at restaurants. But Asya Poplavskaya was an exception....

Why you should visit Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo’s summer holiday escape in Italy

By&nbspRebecca Ann Hughes&nbspwith&nbspAP Published on 08/07/2025 - 7:00 GMT+2 The town of Castel Gandolfo sits high on the edge of a volcanic crater lake just 25 kilometres from Rome. Its villas, palaces and grand churches are a testament to its...

Augustinian reflects on papal vacation, first encyclical, appointments and tennis

Pope Leo XIV began his summer break July 6 at Castel Gandolfo, where he’ll stay through July 20. But don’t expect the Holy Father to simply relax. According to Augustinian Father Alejandro Moral Antón, a longtime friend, Pope Leo plans to draft...

Pope Leo XIV given 2 electric, eco-friendly ‘popemobiles’ for travel

Vatican City, Jul 7, 2025 / 15:34 pm Pope Leo XIV has been given two electric vehicles that can be transported by air and will accompany him on his international travels. According to a statement from the Governorate of Vatican City State, the...

Pope Leo XIV Given Two Electric, Eco-friendly "popemobiles" for International Travels

Vatican City, 08 July, 2025 / 12:34 am (ACI Africa). Pope Leo XIV has been given two electric vehicles that can be transported by air and will accompany him on his international travels. According to a statement from the Governorate of Vatican...

Augustinian prior opens up about papal vacation, first encyclical, appointments and tennis

ROME (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV began his summer break July 6 at Castel Gandolfo, where he’ll stay through July 20. But don’t expect the Holy Father to simply relax. According to Augustinian Father Alejandro Moral Antón, a longtime friend, Pope Leo...

Pope arrives to summer vacation spot; locals delighted

“Popes need this microclimate near Rome, the fresh air, the lake, the sea,” the parish priest says. Pope Leo XIV arrived at the papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in the late afternoon. Smiling and approachable, the...

Pope Leo XIV arrives at Castel Gandolfo for vacation

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, for a six-week vacation on Sunday. Andrew Medichini/AP Photo × Pope resumes the tradition to restore 'body and spirit' CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy – Pope Leo XIV...

The hilltop town where Pope Leo XIV is staying cool on his summer vacation

Castel Gandolfo, Italy (CNN) — After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple...

Pope Leo XIV starts summer vacation away from Vatican

Pope Leo XIV resumes tradition and arrives at Castel Gandolfo for vacation to restore ‘body and spirit’

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV arrived in the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo on Sunday to start a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year...

Pope escapes Roman heat for 6 week vacation

Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile as he arrives for the weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square, in Vatican City, in May. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI July 6 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV, 69, started a six-week long vacation at the papal retreat of...

Pope Leo to take two-week holiday in break with ‘pauperism’ of Francis

The Pope began a two-week summer holiday in the Alban Hills on Sunday, reviving a centuries-old papal tradition snubbed by his predecessor. The first pontiff to escape Rome’s stifling summer heat in a villa overlooking a volcanic lake in the town...

Pope Leo XIV arrives at Castel Gandolfo for vacation to restore ‘body and spirit’

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) -- Pope Leo XIV arrived in the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo on Sunday to start a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year...

Pope Leo XIV resumes tradition, takes summer vacation to Italian villa

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday restarted a papal tradition, leaving the Vatican for the summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo. The small town about 15 miles south of the Vatican has hosted popes for the summer dating back to the 1600s, but Pope Francis never...

Pope Leo resumes papal tradition of taking summer vacation

Pope Leo XIV arrived in the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo on Sunday to start a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year pontificate. Leo greeted...

Pope Leo XIV arrives in Castel Gandolfo for summer vacation

Rome Newsroom, Jul 6, 2025 / 13:45 pm Pope Leo XIV has been welcomed by wellwishers upon his arrival to his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Sunday. Crowds of people standing behind barriers greeted the Holy Father, taking photos and...

Pope Leo XIV resumes tradition and arrives Castel Gandolfo for vacation to restore 'body...

“I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit,” Leo said before leaving the Vatican during his noontime prayer Sunday. The 69-year-old Chicago native is resuming the papal tradition of leaving the Vatican for the hot...

Pope Leo XIV resumes tradition and arrives Castel Gandolfo for vacation to restore 'body and spirit'

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) — Pope Leo XIV arrived in the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo on Sunday to start a six-week vacation , giving the hilltop town back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year...