Papal Vacation Tradition Revived After 12 Years—But What Does It Really Signal?

For over two centuries, popes retreated to the cool climes of Castel Gandolfo during the sweltering Roman summers, enjoying respite in this historic town perched above the volcano-crater lake Albano. This long-standing tradition was abruptly halted in 2013 when then-Pope Francis chose to remain in the Vatican year-round, converting the papal palace into a museum and signaling a modernized approach to papal residence. Now, Pope Leo XIV has announced his return to this time-honored summer getaway after a 12-year hiatus—leaving Vatican City this Sunday post-Angelus prayer to spend two weeks at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo. While this gesture is...