Pope Francis, during his holiday in Castel Gandolfo, engaged in a lighthearted exchange wiht tennis star Jannik Sinner. Sinner offered the pope a racket identical to his own, proposing a speedy match. The Pope, with a smile, declined the offer for a match within the Vatican Palace, humorously suggesting Wimbledon as a more suitable venue, much to the amusement of those present.
Pope Francis’s Castel Gandolfo retreat
Castel Gandolfo, situated in the Alban Hills approximately 30 kilometers south of Rome, has historically served as a papal retreat for four centuries. Though, Pope Francis (2013-2025) repurposed the papal palace into a museum and initiated an ecological project on the 55-hectare estate, leaving the summer residence largely unused. This decision reportedly caused dissatisfaction among the local residents, known as “Castellani.” The last papal Mass celebrated at Castel Gandolfo was in August 2012, attended by pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013).
The recent arrival of Pope Francis in Castel Gandolfo was met with enthusiasm by thousands of residents and tourists gathered in Piazza della Libertà. Prior to Mass at the local parish church, he toured Corso della Repubblica in a small golf cart, acknowledging the assembled crowd. Following the Angelus prayer in front of the Papal Palace, a visibly relaxed Pope Francis expressed his pleasure at being in Castel Gandolfo. Pope Francis is scheduled to return to the Vatican after his visit, with his departure from Castel Gandolfo planned for Sunday, July 20, in Albano.
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