Castel Gandolfo 1

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be sharing photos and stories from my recent visit to the historic papal apartments at Castel Gandolfo.

For centuries, this stunning hilltop palace overlooking Lake Albano served as the exclusive summer retreat for reigning popes to escape the heat of Rome. However, in 2016, Pope Francis broke tradition and generously opened these private apartments to the public as a museum.

That public access has officially come to an end. Our current Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has revived the centuries-old tradition and reclaimed the palace as a working summer residence. Because it is a private papal home once again, these rooms have been closed to tourists—making our recent visit an incredibly rare privilege.

To kick things off, here is a photo of the private papal chapel, a sacred space that the general public is unlikely ever to see again.