Pope Leo strikes into papal residence eschewed by Pope Francis

Ten months after taking workplace, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday lastly moved into his residences within the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, a historic papal residence that his predecessor had eschewed.

“This afternoon, Pope Leo XIV will take possession of the condo within the Apostolic Palace, shifting, together with his closest collaborators, into the areas beforehand utilized by his predecessors,” the Vatican mentioned in a press release.

Leo, the primary U..S pope, determined to maneuver into the residences within the wake of his Could 8, 2025, election as head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

However after being deserted underneath the late Pope Francis, who selected a extra modest dwelling elsewhere within the Vatican, they required in depth renovation.

In the course of the interim, the 70-year-old Leo continued staying on the Palace of the Holy Workplace, close to the Vatican, the place he had lived as a cardinal.

The massive condo he has moved into consists of bedrooms, a chapel, a vestibule, a library, an workplace, a eating room and a room from which the pontiff recites the Angelus prayer each Sunday via a window overlooking St. Peter’s Sq..

Francis had shocked traditionalists when he selected his election in 2013 to reside in a easy condo within the Santa Marta guesthouse within the Vatican, the place he remained till loss of life.

The gesture was acclaimed by supporters of a humble pope however attracted criticism from conservatives, who accused him of divesting the papacy of a sacred aspect.

The papal residences are within the coronary heart of the Apostolic Palace, which homes the Sistine Chapel, the Apostolic Library and the Secretary of State, the central hub of the Holy See’s administration.

Leo has additionally returned to the papal summer time residence at Castel Gandolfo, outdoors Rome, that Francis declined to make use of.

He spends most Tuesdays there, taking part in tennis and swimming alongside his work.