Papal Summer Retreat Returns to Castel Gandolfo Amid Local Excitement and Security Concerns

For centuries, the pontiffs of the Catholic Church chose Castel Gandolfo—the picturesque town perched atop an extinct volcanic crater near Rome—as their summer refuge from the sweltering Roman heat. This tradition provided not only physical respite but also solidified the town’s role as a center of papal influence and local prosperity. However, this time-honored custom was abruptly interrupted when Pope Francis opted out of retreating to Castel Gandolfo, preferring instead the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Although he opened the papal palace to public access as a museum, his choice inadvertently dealt a blow to local tourism and commerce dependent on...