Trending Now - Pope Leo XIV Takes Residence in Revamped Vatican Quarters
WHO:
Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed the move.
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope
Pope Francis, Leo's predecessor
WHAT:
The papal apartment includes bedrooms, a chapel, a vestibule, a library, an office, a dining room, and a room from which the pontiff recites the Angelus prayer every Sunday through a window overlooking St. Peter's Square.
Pope Leo XIV has returned to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, where he spends most Tuesdays playing tennis and swimming alongside his work.
The papal apartment includes a private study room, a library, and a small chapel.
Pope Leo XIV had taken formal possession of the residence shortly after his election on May 8, 2025, by removing the seals placed on the door on May 11, 2025.
Pope Leo XIV moved into the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace on March 14, 2026.
The papal apartment had been eschewed by Pope Francis during his 12-year papacy.
The Vatican stated that Leo would be joined by his closest collaborators in the apartment.
Extensive renovations were undertaken on the papal apartment, which had not been used during Francis' papacy.
WHERE:
Apostolic Palace, Vatican City
The apartment is located on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace, overlooking St. Peter's Square.
Palace of the Holy Office, where Leo lived as a cardinal prior to moving.
WHEN:
Pope Leo XIV moved into the papal apartment on March 14, 2026.
The seals on the papal apartment door were placed on April 21, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025.
Pope Leo XIV took possession of the apartment on March 14, 2026.
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025.
WHY:
Leo's decision to move into the Apostolic Palace has been praised by conservative commentators as a sign of respect for the papacy, contrasting with Pope Francis' choice for a more modest living arrangement.
Leo's decision to move into the Apostolic Palace has been praised by conservative commentators as a sign of respect for the papacy.
Pope Leo XIV decided to move into the papal apartments to embrace the traditional role of the papacy, contrasting with Pope Francis' choice for a more modest living arrangement.
Francis chose not to live in the papal apartment to be surrounded by other people and to reflect his simple taste.
HOW:
The Vatican undertook extensive renovations to update the electric, plumbing, and other utilities in the papal apartment, which had not been used during Francis' 12-year papacy.
The papal apartment had been sealed with a red ribbon and wax as per papal protocol after the death of Pope Francis.
The Vatican undertook extensive renovations to update the electric, plumbing, and other utilities in the papal apartment.
A crane was seen working on the site in recent months leading up to Leo's move-in date.
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 01:22 UTC)
Pope Leo XIV officially moved into the papal apartment on March 14, 2026, a space that features bedrooms, a chapel, and a library, among other rooms. His decision has been praised by conservative commentators as a sign of respect for the papacy, especially in contrast to Pope Francis' more modest living arrangements. The Vatican completed extensive renovations to the apartment, updating the electric and plumbing systems that had gone unused during Francis' twelve years in office.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 23:01 UTC)
Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has officially moved into the Apostolic Palace, a residence that features a private study room, a library, and a small chapel. The seals on the papal apartment door were placed on April 21, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis, and Leo took formal possession of the residence shortly after his election on May 8, 2025, by removing those seals on May 11. This decision has been praised by conservative commentators as a sign of respect for the papacy.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 19:12 UTC)
Today marks a significant moment in the Vatican as Pope Leo XIV officially moved into the papal apartment at the Apostolic Palace, a space that had been left unused during Pope Francis' twelve-year papacy. Extensive renovations were completed to modernize the apartment, which is located on the third floor and overlooks St. Peter's Square, and Leo will be joined by his closest collaborators in this traditional setting. This move reflects Leo's desire to embrace the conventional role of the papacy, contrasting with Francis' preference for a more modest living arrangement.