La residenza papale di Castel Gandolfo era stata aperta a visite museali da Papa Francesco, ora Papa Leone la chiude di nuovo
Pope Leo XIV is closing the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo to the public as of July 2026, ending nearly a decade of museum access initiated by Pope Francis. Online ticket sales stop on June 30, and the palace will revert to its original function as the pope's summer residence. The decision follows preparatory works begun in May 2025 and is partly motivated by security concerns, as the current temporary lodging at Villa Barberini has logistical and access-control issues.
This shift marks a significant change in papal approach: Pope Francis opened the palace as a museum in 2016, reflecting his austere style and desire to share Vatican heritage, while Pope Leo XIV's restoration of the residence signals a return to a centuries-old tradition of papal retreat. The move also highlights evolving security protocols and the symbolic weight of Castel Gandolfo, a historic site that has served as a papal refuge since the 17th century and witnessed key moments in modern church history.