In a moment rich with tradition and renewed spirit, thousands of pilgrims and well-wishers flocked to the picturesque hilltop village of Castel Gandolfo on Sunday to witness Pope Leo deliver his first Angelus prayer from the historic papal summer retreat.
Braving persistent rain, crowds lined the cobbled streets of the village just 20 kilometers southeast of Rome eager to catch a glimpse of the newly elected pontiff. Standing before the gates of the Apostolic Palace, flanked by two Swiss Guards in ceremonial attire, Pope Leo greeted the faithful warmly.
“I am happy to be among you… and thank you all for your warm welcome,” he told the gathered crowd.
Pope Leo arrived at Castel Gandolfo on July 6 for a two-week rest, restoring the site’s tradition as a papal summer residence one that had been set aside during the tenure of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who remained in the Vatican throughout his papacy.
Earlier in the day, the Pope led Mass at the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, the village’s central church. After the service, he walked across the square to greet the crowd, who responded with cheers and applause.
In his Angelus address, Pope Leo made a heartfelt appeal for global peace: “Let us not forget to pray for peace and for all those who find themselves in suffering and need because of war.”
His words, delivered against the serene backdrop of Lake Albano, resonated deeply with a crowd that had gathered not just to hear a message of faith, but also to be part of a new chapter in papal tradition one grounded in both reflection and presence.
