But he will be back at Castel Gandolfo on Wednesday for a very special concert, and is also expected to return for a day or two in mid August for the feast of Mary's Assumption into Heaven.
After three weeks of rest at Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on the evening of July 27, 2026, the Holy See Press Office confirmed. Since July 5, the head of the Catholic Church had been staying at the papal palace in this village, situated some 20 miles southeast of Rome.
During this period of rest spent at the Apostolic Palace, the Pontiff followed a lighter schedule, devoting his time to prayer, reading, rest, and sport (tennis and horseback riding). His only weekly public engagement was the Angelus prayer, which he prayed every Sunday from Piazza della Libertà in the center of the town. His holiday was also punctuated by a few one-off activities, such as visits to shrines.
On July 11, the Successor of Peter had lunch with some 200 people facing precarious situations. The lunch was held in the gardens of the papal villas at Castel Gandolfo. The following week, on July 18, he attended a classical music concert organized by the Diocese of Albano in his honor, held in the courtyard of the papal palace.
Leo XIV also made a few "surprise" visits during this period of rest. He visited the monastery of Monte Cassino on July 20. He took the opportunity during this visit to pray at the tomb of Saint Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order. Then, on July 22, he went to the Sanctuary of the Trinity in Valle Pietra and subsequently visited two monasteries in Subiaco.
Leo XIV’s return to the Vatican means the resumption of the Pope’s private audiences, although none have yet been added to the official agenda by the Holy See. The only engagement for the Successor of Peter in the coming days is a time of prayer centred on the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi, at Castel Gandolfo on July 29. The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform before the Pope on this occasion.
General audiences, which are suspended during the summer, will resume on Wednesday, August 5. According to information from I.MEDIA, Pope Leo XIV is expected to spend a few days at Castel Gandolfo again in mid-August, around the Feast of the Assumption.
