Pope Leo XIV finally moved into the historic Apostolic Palace in the Vatican this afternoon, marking a significant change from his predecessor’s preference for more modest accommodations. The Vatican announced his move, noting that he would be joined by his closest collaborators as they took possession of the former papal apartments.
At 70 years old, Pope Leo XIV had decided to stay at these spaces despite the extensive renovation required after being abandoned under the late Pope Francis. Francis had famously opted for a simple apartment in the Santa Marta guesthouse near the Vatican, where he remained until his death in 2019—a decision that met with both support and criticism.
The new papal residence is spacious, featuring bedrooms, a chapel, a vestibule, a library, an office, a dining room, and a room overlooking St. Peter’s Square from which the pontiff recites the Angelus prayer weekly. This move represents a return to more traditional papal living after Francis’s election in 2013 brought about unprecedented changes.
For conservatives who had been critical of his predecessor for choosing a humble abode over more sacred spaces, Leo’s residence marks a departure from this trend. However, it has also garnered support among those who viewed the previous pope’s choice as a refreshing and less encumbered papacy.
Leo’s move signifies an attempt to bring back traditional elements into his role, including his recent decision to return to Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, where he spends most Tuesdays. There, he engages in regular tennis and swimming sessions while continuing his work at the Vatican.
Despite these shifts, the core of Leo’s papacy remains deeply intertwined with the Apostolic Palace, which houses the Sistine Chapel and the Apostolic Library. These spaces serve as a central hub for the Holy See’s administration, reflecting both continuity and adaptation in the role of the papacy under Pope Leo XIV.