OSV News
ROME — Pope Leo XIV began his summer break July 6 at Castel Gandolfo, where he’ll stay through July 20. But don’t expect the Holy Father to simply relax.
According to Augustinian Father Alejandro Moral Anton, a longtime friend, Pope Leo plans to draft the framework of his first encyclical during the break — possibly touching on peace, unity or artificial intelligence.
Father Moral, prior general of the Augustinian order, shared insights with the Italian daily Il Messaggero on how Pope Leo will spend his summer break in Castel Gandolfo.
Father Moral, a 70-year-old Spaniard, said that even in his time as prior general in the Augustinian curia, Father Robert Francis Prevost “always operated tirelessly.”
“I remember that even when he was prior, he was the first to cross the chapel threshold, early in the morning, and at night in his room, the light stayed on until very late. I remember because we were neighbors. Now that he is pope, things have not changed much, and he has many more responsibilities.”
Father Moral told Il Messaggero that the pope stays up late, replying “to many messages on WhatsApp even at 3 in the morning, evidently when he reaches the end of his day, before going to bed. It’s his nature. Reliable, consistent, prepared, never inattentive.”
While the fellow Augustinian admitted his “public commitments have been reduced to a minimum” for vacation and that “he will recite the Angelus and celebrate Sunday Mass in nearby parishes,” he also said that at Villa Barberini, where the pope will be staying, “I know he will begin work on his first encyclical.”
Asked whether the pope will play tennis — the sport he enjoys most, according to reports — Father Moral said: “To be honest, he never stopped.”
Father Moral also said that the pope, in his free time, likes to play the piano.
Despite the fact that the papal stay will take place in a villa, not the main palace — transformed into a museum by Pope Francis — the pope’s fellow friar said that for him, “the important thing is that he rests because then a heavy autumn awaits him, very dense, between Jubilee (Year) commitments, appointments and travels.”
Only after the summer break, the pope will make changes to the Vatican government — in other words — the Curia, Father Moral predicted.
“This break will certainly help him weigh everything. The time available will then be used to write the encyclical.”
Asked about papal trips, Father Moral said that “this year, apart from the trip to Turkey, I don’t think there will be any other trips, considering that there is the Jubilee and many other commitments. Next year, however, I think we will see him with a suitcase in hand, something he has always done when he was prior.”
The prior also said that Pope Leo loves Rome “so much.”
“(He) knows Rome very well,” Father Moral said. “He has it in his heart.”
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass “for the care of creation” July 9 on the grounds of the Borgo Laudato Si’ ecology center in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. The vestments Pope Leo wore were new and made by Chicago-based House of Hansen, then hand-delivered to Rome. (Cristian Gennari / pool / CNS)
Hometown connection
On July 9, Pope Leo celebrated the first Mass “for the care of creation” at Castel Gandolfo, wearing vestments made by a firm in his hometown of Chicago.
The pope celebrated the inaugural liturgy — the formulary, or specific texts and prayers, for which were unveiled July 3 — in the Laudato Si’ Village (Borgo Laudato Si’) at Castel Gandolfo. The village, an ecological educational center, was established by the late Pope Francis and named for his 2015 encyclical on environmental stewardship.
At the liturgy — which took place on Wednesday of the 14th week in ordinary time, the liturgical color for which is green — Pope Leo wore a deep green, brocade chasuble made by the Chicago-based House of Hansen. Since 1908, the liturgical goods retailer has outfitted both Catholic and Anglican clergy, and also provides chalices, Communion hosts, rosaries and religious art.