VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Almost 13 years have passed since a pope spent part of his summer at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, a hilltop town overlooking Lake Albano, just outside Rome. So, when Pope Leo XIV arrived at the Barberini Palace on Sunday (July 6), where he will stay this summer, for many residents, it was a welcome return to tradition.
“There is a lot of excitement because many years had passed and we weren’t prepared for these emotions, which instead returned as if it were yesterday, to be honest,” said Patrizia Gaspertini, a native of Castel Gandolfo who runs a souvenir shop just off the main square, in an interview with Religion News Service.
Tourists, pilgrims and citizens of Castel Gandolfo greeted the pope’s arrival with colorful festoons and cries of “Viva il Papa!” Leo greeted the crowds, especially children and the elderly, while walking the short distance from his electric blue van to the gates of the Barberini Palace, patrolled by two Swiss guards.
The pope will stay at the papal retreat from July 6 to 20, and he will return for the weekend of the Feast of the Assumption from August 15 to 17. On July 13, he will cele …