Vatican City, Sep 9, 2025 / 10:30 am

Pope Leo XIV is at his Castel Gandolfo residence for the day on Tuesday as he brings back regular use of the papal retreat after the estate spent 12 years in the shadows.

The Vatican said the pontiff “will continue his activities” from Villa Barberini — his residence in Castel Gandolfo, 18 miles south of Rome — from the evening of Sept. 8 to the afternoon of Sept. 9.

Tuesday is usually the one day a week the pope does not hold formal audiences, allowing him the freedom to spend time at the hilltop property sometimes known as the “second Vatican City.”

During his pontificate, Pope Francis eschewed the papal summer residence, preferring to remain in Vatican City.

Under Leo, the Castel Gandolfo property is enjoying a renaissance — most recently with t

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