Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Pope Seeks Renewal of ‘Mind and Body’ During Retreat at Castel Gandolfo
  • Local news

Pope Seeks Renewal of ‘Mind and Body’ During Retreat at Castel Gandolfo

    Pope aims to restore 'body and spirit' during vacation that brings a pontiff back to Castel Gandolfo
    Up next
    Chicago NASCAR race:3rd NASCAR Chicago Street Race takes off in Grant Park for 2nd day with Cup Series race
    NASCAR Chicago: Day 2 of the Third Annual Race Kicks Off in Grant Park with Cup Series Action
    Published on 06 July 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • 039body,
    • aims,
    • Alberto De Angelis,
    • and,
    • back,
    • brings,
    • Castel,
    • during,
    • Gandolfo,
    • Patrizia Gasperini,
    • pontiff,
    • pope,
    • Pope Benedict XVI,
    • Pope Francis,
    • Pope Leo XIV,
    • Religion,
    • restore,
    • Simone Mariani,
    • spirit039,
    • That,
    • vacation,
    • world news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    ROME – On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV is set to retreat to the papal summer residence for a six-week holiday, marking the return of the prestigious occupant to the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who did not visit during his 12-year reign, this move revives an old tradition.

    Leo bid farewell to Rome during his Sunday noon blessing, saying he was taking a “brief period of rest.”

    “I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit,” Leo said from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

    Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago and 69 years of age, is opting to escape the Vatican’s summer heat in favor of the cooler temperatures of the Alban Hills, located to the south of Rome. This region has long been a favored retreat for Rome’s leaders, dating back to Emperor Domitian in the first century.

    This vacation will be Leo’s first break following a hectic stretch of activities such as inaugural audiences, outings, and Holy Year festivities after his election as the first American pope on May 8. Although his vacation will include several public engagements, like Masses, Sunday noon prayers, and some events at the Vatican, it’s anticipated that he will take advantage of this time to delve into important matters affecting his new leadership.

    Pope Urban VIII built the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo in 1624 to give popes an escape from Rome. It was enlarged over succeeding pontificates to its present size of 55 hectares (136 acres), bigger than Vatican City itself. On the grounds are a working farm, manicured gardens, an observatory run by Jesuit astronomers and, more recently, an environmental educational center inspired by Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be).

    Popes past used it regularly in summer, drawing huge crowds of pilgrims who would come on Sundays to hear his noon blessing, which was delivered inside the inner courtyard of the palace. Pope Benedict XVI famously closed out his papacy in the estate on Feb. 28, 2013. But Francis, a homebody who never took a proper vacation during his 12-year pontificate, decided to remain in Rome in summer.

    So for Castel Gandolfo, Leo’s vacation is a welcome return. The town suffered an initial economic hit from pope-free summers when Francis opted for staycations, but once he turned the papal palace and gardens into a year-round museum that ended up benefiting the town even more, shopkeepers say.

    “He made access to these structures possible, which no pope ever did in 400 years,” said Simone Mariani, who runs a restaurant in town that benefited from the steady flow of tourists much more than the summer-only Sunday crowds of the past. “He brought tourism that was good for the whole town.”

    But that didn’t make up for the emotional loss felt in a town whose rhythms for generations revolved around regular papal visits. When the pope arrived, the palace doors would open, the Swiss Guards would stand at attention and the town would come to life, said Patrizia Gasperini, whose family runs a souvenir shop on the main piazza a few steps from the palace front door.

    “All year, we’d miss the color, the movement, but we knew when summer came he would return,” she said. “So when Pope Francis decided not to come, we were upset on an emotional level, beyond the economic level.”

    Mayor Alberto De Angelis said he hopes Leo will decide to use Castel Gandolfo not just for summer breaks, but for periodic vacations during the rest of the year, as St. John Paul II often did.

    There is also a tradition of popes using their time at Castel Gandolfo to draft important church documents and encyclicals, and De Angelis said he hopes Leo follows in that tradition.

    “We hope Pope Leo produces some text, some encyclical here that has a global reach,” he said. “And then to say that it came from Castel Gandolfo, that he was inspired and produced this text from here for the whole world.”

    ___

    Stellacci reported from Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

    ___

    Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Kaiser stops gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19
    • Local news

    Kaiser Halts Gender-Affirming Surgeries for Patients Under 19

    (KTXL) Heath care provider Kaiser Permanente has announced it will be pausing gender-affirming…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    At least 11 people stabbed at a Walmart in Michigan, and a suspect is in custody
    • Local news

    Suspected Attacker Detained After Stabbing at Least 11 at Michigan Walmart

    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — At least 11 people were stabbed at…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    Israel begins daily pause in fighting in 3 Gaza areas to allow 'minimal' aid as hunger grows
    • Local news

    Israel Implements Daily Ceasefire in Three Gaza Zones to Permit Limited Aid Amid Increasing Hunger

    DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — On Sunday, the Israeli military initiated…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    You can help pay off America's debt with Venmo now
    • Local news

    Now You Can Use Venmo to Help Reduce America’s Debt

    (NewsNation) – Americans looking to chip in to pay off the country’s…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025

    Michigan Walmart Knife Incident: Man Faces Terrorism and Assault Charges

    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — On Sunday, officials announced their intention to…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    US and China to talk in Stockholm on trade with eye on Trump-Xi summit later this year
    • Local news

    US and China to Hold Trade Discussions in Stockholm, Anticipating Trump-Xi Meeting This Year

    WASHINGTON – During a meeting in Stockholm, it is highly likely that…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025

    Landlord Found Guilty in Hate Crime Case Involving 6-Year-Old Muslim Boy’s Death Passes Away in Custody

    WILL COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) — The Illinois landlord found guilty of murdering…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    Case of 'acute gastroenteritis' damages performance of US team at world swimming
    • Local news

    US Team’s Performance at World Swimming Affected by ‘Acute Gastroenteritis’ Case

    SINGAPORE (AP) — The U.S. contingent at the swimming world championships in…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025

    Michigan Walmart Knife Incident Leads Authorities to Pursue Terrorism and Assault Charges Against Suspect

    A man was arrested for allegedly entering a Walmart in Michigan and…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025
    Passengers flee smoking jet on emergency slide after apparent landing gear problem at Denver airport
    • Local news

    Passengers Evacuate Plane via Emergency Slide Due to Smoking Jet, Suspected Landing Gear Issue at Denver Airport

    Passengers evacuated a smoking aircraft at Denver International Airport using an emergency…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025

    Witnesses report crowd stopped man accused of stabbing 11 people at Michigan Walmart.

    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) Chaos unfolded at a Walmart in Michigan after a man…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    'Just trying to move forward': Alec Baldwin talks 'Peanuts,' effects of his 'Rust' trial
    • Local news

    Alec Baldwin Discusses ‘Peanuts’ and Impact of ‘Rust’ Trial: ‘Aiming to Move On’

    SAN DIEGO (AP) — Alec Baldwin mentions that since the surprising conclusion…
    • Internewscast
    • July 27, 2025
    White House in 'full-bore panic mode' over Epstein files
    • News

    White House in Severe Panic Over Epstein Document Release

    President Trump is reportedly outraged over the mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025
    Cambodian and Thai leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia as border violence enters fifth day
    • Local news

    Cambodian and Thai Leaders Meet for Ceasefire Talks in Malaysia Amid Fifth Day of Border Violence

    SURIN – Leaders from Thailand and Cambodia are convening in Malaysia to…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025
    Boxer Dwight Muhammad Qawi dies at 72
    • US

    Boxing Legend Dwight Muhammad Qawi Passes Away at Age 72

    While serving a sentence for armed robbery, he participated in the boxing…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025
    South Chicago crime: Chicago Police Department issues warning about armed robbery incidents in South Side neighborhood
    • US

    South Chicago Crime Update: Police Alert Residents About Armed Robberies in South Side Neighborhood

    CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police are warning South Side residents about a…
    • Internewscast
    • July 28, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.