Pope Leo XIV officially moved into his apartments in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Saturday. This historic residence had been eschewed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who chose to live more modestly elsewhere within the Vatican.
Key Takeaways
Pope Leo XIV has moved into the papal apartments in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, a residence previously avoided by Pope Francis. The move marks a shift from Francis' modest living arrangements to a more traditional approach.
- Pope Leo XIV moves into renovated papal apartment after 10 months as pope.
- The apartment had been unused during Pope Francis' 12-year papacy and required extensive renovations.
- Leo is the first U.S.-born pope and has embraced traditional papal attire and customs.
- Francis lived in a simple guesthouse, emphasizing humility but reducing capacity for paying guests.
The newly renovated apartment includes several rooms such as a chapel, library, office, dining room and a space from which Leo will recite the Angelus prayer every Sunday overlooking St. Peter's Square. The move comes ten months after his election in May 2025 and signals a shift towards more traditional papal customs.
During Francis' papacy, he opted to live in the Santa Marta guesthouse within the Vatican, which is typically used for visiting priests and cardinals during conclaves. This choice was seen as an expression of humility but also meant that the entire second floor of the hotel was dedicated to his use, reducing capacity for paying guests.
Leo's decision to move into these apartments has been praised by conservative commentators who view it as a sign of respect for traditional papal customs and protocols. The Vatican also announced earlier this week that Leo had made another significant appointment in the Vatican bureaucracy.
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