Castel Gandolfo: The parish priest of Castel Gandolfo has expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will enjoy a peaceful and refreshing summer break in the lakeside town, where the Pope is spending time in prayer, rest, reading and sport.
Father Tadeusz Rozmus, a Polish Salesian priest and parish priest of the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova, said the local community wants Pope Leo to feel comfortable and at home during his stay.
Speaking to Vatican News, Father Rozmus said the people of Castel Gandolfo have no special expectations from the Pope during his holiday. Their main wish is that he will be able to enjoy genuine rest and follow the programme he has chosen for himself.
According to the priest, Pope Leo has made it clear that his time in Castel Gandolfo is meant for prayer, relaxation, reading and physical activity. Father Rozmus said the community respects the Pope’s need for privacy and peace, while also looking forward to opportunities to see him during the Angelus prayer and any other public meetings that may take place.
The Pope’s arrival has brought excitement to Castel Gandolfo, a town with a long and close relationship with the papacy. Father Rozmus said he was especially touched when Pope Leo personally greeted him and the parish community during his first appearance from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace.
The greeting came as a complete surprise to the parish priest. He said he saw it as recognition of the important role of the Pontifical Parish within the local community. Although the Vatican institutions in Castel Gandolfo operate independently, the parish and its priest continue to play an important role in the religious life of the area.
Father Rozmus also recalled the many opportunities he had to meet Pope Leo during the Pope’s regular visits to Castel Gandolfo over the past year. The Pope frequently travelled to Villa Barberini on Monday afternoons and stayed until Tuesday evening.
When leaving the residence, Pope Leo often stopped to greet pilgrims waiting outside or to speak briefly with journalists. Father Rozmus said these visits also gave him opportunities to exchange a few words with the Pope, share information or simply offer a greeting.
The priest described these meetings as special moments in which he could feel the Pope’s fatherly closeness. He expressed hope that such regular visits and meetings will continue after the summer holiday.
Father Rozmus also remembered Pope Leo’s first summer as Pope and a special Mass celebrated at the Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova on July 13 last year. The church was too small to welcome everyone who wanted to attend the celebration, showing the excitement surrounding the Pope’s presence in the town.
One moment from that occasion remains particularly important to the parish priest. Pope Leo presented the parish with a liturgical chalice, which Father Rozmus received on behalf of the whole community.
The priest said receiving the gift directly from the Pope was one of the most important moments of his priestly life. The chalice remains a special symbol of the relationship between Pope Leo and the parish community.
The Pope’s return to Castel Gandolfo has also brought back memories of Pope St. John Paul II, who remains deeply loved by many residents. Father Rozmus said older residents and those who grew up during John Paul II’s papacy still speak about him with great emotion.
He recalled seeing people with tears in their eyes as they remembered the years when Popes regularly spent their summers in Castel Gandolfo. Many residents remember seeing the Pope during their childhood and still describe John Paul II as their Pope.
According to Father Rozmus, Pope Leo’s return has revived these memories and created a feeling that an important papal tradition is continuing. For the people of the town, the presence of the Pope is not only a major event but also part of the history and identity of their community.
The 2026 summer stay is particularly significant because this year marks 400 years since the beginning of the tradition of Popes using Castel Gandolfo as a summer residence.
The tradition began with Pope Urban VIII in 1626. Since then, Castel Gandolfo has played an important role as a place of rest and retreat for many Popes.
Father Rozmus said the parish is working together with the Diocese and local authorities to prepare celebrations marking the anniversary. He described the occasion as an important opportunity to remember four centuries of papal presence in Castel Gandolfo and to recognise the town’s special place in the history of the Church.
As Pope Leo continues his summer stay, the local community hopes he will find the peace and rest he is seeking. At the same time, his presence has renewed a centuries old connection between Castel Gandolfo, its people and the Popes who have made the town their summer home.