When Pope Leo XIV takes up residence in the Apostolic Palace later this year, he will not be moving in alone. According to The Telegraph, citing Italian media reports, the Holy Father intends to invite several of his brethren to live alongside him inside the historic papal apartments.
The apartments, located on the third floor of the 16th-century Apostolic Palace, have traditionally been the official residence of the popes since 1870. While his predecessor, Pope Francis, chose not to occupy them—preferring the simpler accommodations of the Santa Marta residence—Pope Leo has discerned a different approach. Rather than living in isolation, he plans to foster the community life so central to his Augustinian spirituality.
PRAYER FOR THE POPE – PRAY ALONG TOGETHER FOR POPE LEO XIV
“It seems to be new to me,” Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi told The Telegraph. “I don’t know if that takes account of the long history of the church but certainly in the modern era.” He added, however, that the Pope’s choice reflects the Augustinian charism of shared life, noting, “He is returning to the papal apartments, but not like a king.”
Among those expected to join him is Father Edgard Rimaycuna, his Peruvian personal secretary. This arrangement would mark the first time in modern memory that a pope has shared his official residence with others in this way.
The apartments themselves are undergoing extensive renovations, both to repair damage caused during the years they stood vacant and to adapt the living spaces to the Pope’s needs. According to The Telegraph, technicians have worked for months addressing water infiltration, humidity, and structural wear. A cornice that had detached from a kitchen window earlier this year required special attention to prevent further deterioration.
The Apostolic Palace is not only a private residence but also a place of public witness. From its windows, popes traditionally bless pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square each Sunday. Several popes, including St. John XXIII, John Paul I, and St. John Paul II, ended their earthly lives within its walls.
Commenting on Pope Leo’s decision, American Jesuit Father James Martin offered support, writing on X that “Leo’s move should not be taken as a sign either of a critique of Pope Francis or as him not living ‘simply’… We need to trust Pope Leo’s discernment in this and all things – and wish him well in his new digs!” (The Telegraph).
For Pope Leo, who previously lived for over a decade in the Curia of the Augustinian Order near St. Peter’s Square, the choice seems less about luxury and more about fidelity to the principle of community life. As The Telegraph notes, this reflects his long-held conviction that “living in community with others” is an integral part of his vocation.
As the Holy Father prepares to move from his current temporary quarters near St. Peter’s Basilica into the restored papal apartments, his decision signals both continuity and renewal: continuity with the tradition of the papal residence, and renewal in the form of a more fraternal and shared model of life at the heart of the Vatican.
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