In the heart of Albano, within the historic and faith-filled walls of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda, a day rich in spirituality, sharing, and closeness to the most vulnerable unfolded. On Sunday morning, August 17, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Eucharist together with people assisted by the local Caritas and its volunteers, transforming the city’s historic...

“When in this life we ‘choose life’ (cf. Dt 30:19), then in Mary, assumed into Heaven, we have reason to see our destiny. She is given to us as the sign that the Resurrection of Jesus was not an isolated event, an exception. All of us, in Christ, can swallow up death (cf. 1 Cor 15:54).” Thus spoke Pope Leo XIV during the concelebrated Eucharist in the Pontifical Parish of St....

A calling that becomes contagious—that of Saint Clare of Assisi—when, in San Damiano, even her mother Ortolana and her sister Beatrice embraced the same form of life. This is confirmation that it was not an isolated choice but rather “a calling that even today sets us on the journey, if we listen to it—a calling that provokes processes of inner transformation”...

On Thursday morning, July 31, the liturgical memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J. as new Director of the Vatican Observatory. Fr. D'Souza has been serving at the Observatory as an astronomer for many years and he will begin his new role as Director on September 19, 2025.

At the heart of the Church, immersed in unceasing prayer for the Successor of Peter, following the way of life traced by Saint Clare of Assisi. This is the mission of the Poor Clares of the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Albano, a cenobitic community located in the splendid setting of the Papal Villas. On July 15, the community had the joy of welcoming Pope ...

A team effort led primarily by the Directorate of the Pontifical Villas and involving all the Departments of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, everyone gave their utmost to offer Pope Leo XIV a peaceful period of rest at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo. Dr. Andrea Tamburelli, Director of the Pontifical Villas, speaks about this in an i...

Around the world millions of viewers were glued to their televisions to watch the live broadcast of the moon landing of the Eagle lunar module from the Apollo 11 mission. About six hours later, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. He was the first man to do so. Buzz Aldrin followed him 19 minutes later. It was July 20, 1969—...

On the morning of Tuesday, July 15, Pope Leo XIV visited the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception of the Poor Clares in the little town of Albano, located within the territory of the Papal Villas.

Welcomed by a joyful crowd, Pope Leo XIV arrived on Sunday afternoon, July 6th, at the estate of Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, where he will stay until Sunday, July 20th.

Earlier that day, during the Angelus, before departing, the Holy Father had said: “This afternoon I will be going to Castel Gandolfo, where I plan to stay for a brief period of rest. I ...

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, Pope Leo XIV arrived at Villa Barberini estate in the town of Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest. The hillside town, built around Lake Albano, has cooler temperatures than Rome, therefore making it a traditional area of respite during the torrid summer months in the city.

With this new tool, the Governorate wishes to provide greater information on a place that spans different eras and has its roots in the history of the papacy.

The initiative is valid for the entire weekend on the following days: 

• Friday 7 March 2025, from 9:00 to 14:30 (last entry at 13:00)
• Saturday 8 March 2025, from 9:00 to 17:30 (last entry ...