reflections, updates and homilies from Deacon Mike Talbot inspired by the following words from my ordination: Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach...
Pope: Do not forget those most in need during the summer
In the July/August edition of the Piazza San Pietro magazine, Pope Leo XIV responds to a letter by an Italian man asking how to enrich his faith during the summer season. The Pope highlights the importance of living out the Gospel of peace and mercy and not forgetting those who are suffering.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
Pope Leo XIV encourages Christians not to forget about the sick, the elderly and those who are suffering during the summer season, in the July/August edition of the Italian magazine, Piazza San Pietro.
The Pope was responding to a letter sent by Maurizio from Rome, who asked how he can live the summer months in a way that deepens and enriches his faith.
How to nurture our spirituality in a frenetic world
In his letter, Maurizio highlights the current turbulent times affected by wars and instability but also by a world that is “faster and more efficient than ever, but often superficial and distracted.”
“I often wonder how it is possible to live and nurture a more conscious and authentic spirituality—one that can translate into concrete acts of love and responsible respect for others,” Maurizio reflects.
He tells the Pope that as the summer holidays approach, he wants to live them not only as a period of rest but also as a moment to “rediscover a deeper dimension” of his inner self, in order also “to rediscover an authentic space for encountering God the Father.”
Maurizio thus concludes the letter by asking the Pope for his thoughts and advice on this.
The Pope’s response: live out the Gospel of peace and mercy
The Pope’s response firstly remembers “those who cannot even enjoy a brief period of rest because they are crushed by burdens of every kind.”
“Let us think of the sick, of those who have lost hope in life, of those overwhelmed by the pain of losing loved ones, of the victims of war, hatred, terrorism, and violence, of those persecuted for their faith and for justice, of prisoners, of those who have lost their jobs or their homes, and of migrants who are not welcomed with humanity,” the Pope emphasizes.
He notes how holidays should be for everyone a time of respite from work and worries in order to experience genuine friendship and company, as a foretaste of the communion of the Kingdom of God.
In order to strengthen one’s faith, he thus calls all Christians to “make use also of the summer to live out the Gospel of peace and mercy.”
“To families, parents and children, the young and the elderly alike—I wish that this summer may be an opportunity for fruitful social and religious experiences, and for deepening their mission in the Church and in society,” he insisted.
He added that he hoped the sick would not lack the closeness of their relatives and volunteers and urged families to not leave their elderly members alone.
The Pope also offered a word of encouragement to volunteers: “Commit yourselves to bringing humanity and hope to those who suffer, and you will see the fruits of grace. You will discover how much love will fill your lives, how much joy, how much happiness.”
He also called Christians to reflect on their privilege and “bear witness to evangelical poverty” when serving the poor, as this is a “service we render to Christ himself.”
“Let us also avoid excess and waste, materialism and consumerism, and let us educate ourselves in simplicity and moderation,” he said, adding that “the accumulation of wealth hinders evangelization.”
Lastly, he expressed his wish that our holidays may “be consistent with a Christian way of life.”
“God's love and grace reach us every day, always,” he concluded. “Let us help one another, in every community, not to squander this precious heritage of humanity and peace, the only hope for giving a future to a world threatened by war.”
Parish priest of Castel Gandolfo: 'We hope Pope Leo will enjoy true rest here'
In an interview with Vatican News, the parish priest of Castel Gandolfo, Polish Salesian Father Tadeusz Rozmus, expresses his hope that Pope Leo XIV will be able to enjoy a good summer holiday in the lakeside town of Castel Gandolfo.
By Fr. Ćukasz Bankowski
“Our hope is that the Holy Father will be well here in Castel Gandolfo, that he may rest and accomplish what he himself has said is the purpose of his stay: prayer, rest, reading and sport.”
This is the wish expressed by Father Tadeusz Rozmus, SDB, parish priest of the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova, in an interview with Vatican News.
The Polish Salesian priest speaks about the first days of the Pope’s summer stay, recalls last year’s visit, and describes the excitement of local residents at the Pope’s return to the Apostolic Palace.
The surprise of the Pope’s greeting
Father Tadeusz first expresses his gratitude because, in his first greeting from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace, Leo XIV addressed a personal greeting to the parish priest and the parish community. It came as a complete surprise to him.
“For me it was an enormous surprise. I saw it as a recognition of the importance of our Pontifical Parish. Although the Vatican institutions located here operate independently, under Canon Law the parish and its parish priest have an important role. It was a very beautiful gesture by the Holy Father toward our entire community.”
A time for rest
The parish priest suggested that Pope Leo’s stay this year has a different character from last year’s. The Pope had already announced that he wanted to spend this period in Castel Gandolfo as a genuine time of rest.
“The Holy Father said clearly," Fr. Rozmus recalled, "that he came here to pray, to rest, to devote himself to reading and to sport. We have no particular expectations; we simply want him to feel at home here and to spend this time peacefully, according to his own wishes.”
The same, he reminded, is true of the faithful, who are especially looking forward with joy to the Angelus and to any other possible encounters that Pope Leo himself has indicated may take place.
Father Tadeusz also spoke about the many occasions he has had to meet the Pope during his frequent visits to Castel Gandolfo over the past year. Almost every week, Pope Leo would travel to Villa Barberini on Monday afternoon and remain there until Tuesday evening.
As he left the residence, he would stop to greet the pilgrims gathered outside or speak with journalists.
The priest remembered as a parish priest having the opportunity to exchange a few words with the Holy Father, pass on some information, or simply greet him.
"They were very beautiful moments, during which one could truly sense his fatherly closeness," he said, adding, "I hope this tradition will continue even after the summer holiday has ended.”
An unforgettable Mass and a gift from the Pope
Looking back to last year, to Pope Leo's first summer as Pope, Father Rozmus recalls with deep emotion the first Mass celebrated on 13 July at the Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova. The small church was unable to accommodate all the faithful who wished to take part in the celebration.
What remains closest to the priest’s heart, he noted, is the moment when the Pope addressed the parish directly and presented it with a special gift.
“He gave us a beautiful liturgical chalice," he shared, recalling, "I had the honour of receiving it from his hands on behalf of the entire community, and I thanked him for this gesture. It will remain one of the most important moments of my priestly life.”
Memories of St. John Paul II
Continuing his reflections, Father Tadeusz Rozmus explained that Pope St. John Paul II holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Castel Gandolfo. The name of the saintly Pope constantly returns in the stories shared by parishioners.
“On Sunday," he noted, "I saw people with tears in their eyes. Many were remembering their childhood, when the Popes came regularly to Castel Gandolfo. People spoke often about St. John Paul II. The residents simply say: ‘He was our Pope.’ And when they speak about him, you can truly sense their emotion. Leo XIV’s return brings those memories back to life and gives people the feeling that this beautiful papal tradition is continuing.”
Four centuries of the Popes’ presence
This year’s papal summer stay also coincides with an important anniversary, for 2026 marks the Church's 400th anniversary of the beginning of the tradition of the Popes’ summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.
The first Pope to begin the tradition was Pope Urban VIII in 1626.
“Together with the Diocese, the local authorities and the parish," Father Tadeusz said, "we are preparing celebrations for this anniversary. It is an extraordinary opportunity to remember four centuries of the presence of Peter’s Successors in Castel Gandolfo and to highlight the importance of this place in the history of the Church.”
Father Tadeusz also spoke about the many occasions he has had to meet the Pope during his frequent visits to Castel Gandolfo over the past year. Almost every week, Pope Leo would travel to Villa Barberini on Monday afternoon and remain there until Tuesday evening.
As he left the residence, he would stop to greet the pilgrims gathered outside or speak with journalists.
The priest remembered as a parish priest having the opportunity to exchange a few words with the Holy Father, pass on some information, or simply greet him.
"They were very beautiful moments, during which one could truly sense his fatherly closeness," he said, adding, "I hope this tradition will continue even after the summer holiday has ended.”
An unforgettable Mass and a gift from the Pope
Looking back to last year, to Pope Leo's first summer as Pope, Father Rozmus recalls with deep emotion the first Mass celebrated on 13 July at the Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova. The small church was unable to accommodate all the faithful who wished to take part in the celebration.
What remains closest to the priest’s heart, he noted, is the moment when the Pope addressed the parish directly and presented it with a special gift.
“He gave us a beautiful liturgical chalice," he shared, recalling, "I had the honour of receiving it from his hands on behalf of the entire community, and I thanked him for this gesture. It will remain one of the most important moments of my priestly life.”
Memories of St. John Paul II
Continuing his reflections, Father Tadeusz Rozmus explained that Pope St. John Paul II holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Castel Gandolfo. The name of the saintly Pope constantly returns in the stories shared by parishioners.
“On Sunday," he noted, "I saw people with tears in their eyes. Many were remembering their childhood, when the Popes came regularly to Castel Gandolfo. People spoke often about St. John Paul II. The residents simply say: ‘He was our Pope.’ And when they speak about him, you can truly sense their emotion. Leo XIV’s return brings those memories back to life and gives people the feeling that this beautiful papal tradition is continuing.”
Four centuries of the Popes’ presence
This year’s papal summer stay also coincides with an important anniversary, for 2026 marks the Church's 400th anniversary of the beginning of the tradition of the Popes’ summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.
The first Pope to begin the tradition was Pope Urban VIII in 1626.
“Together with the Diocese, the local authorities and the parish," Father Tadeusz said, "we are preparing celebrations for this anniversary. It is an extraordinary opportunity to remember four centuries of the presence of Peter’s Successors in Castel Gandolfo and to highlight the importance of this place in the history of the Church.”
Pope: Technology should serve friendships, not replace them
During a visit to the Vatican's summer camp for children of employees, Pope Leo XIV encourages children to use technology responsibly.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican's Estate Ragazzi summer camp on Monday, meeting with children and young people taking part in this year's programme and answering several questions.
The theme is focused on Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days."
Human relationships come first
Responding to a question about the difficulty of disconnecting from screens during the school year, Pope Leo acknowledged the benefits of technology but stressed that it should not take the place of real human interaction.
"Technology can be very good and very useful for many things," he said. "However, when we are together, it is not necessary to have a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet in our hands at every moment."
The Pope encouraged the children to spend time together as people rather than through devices.
"It is very important to build friendships, to spend time together, to play together, and perhaps even to study together," he said. "We are human beings, persons, and contact with others is extremely important."
He extended the reflection to family life, noting that "when a family is together, it is not enough for everyone to sit there looking at their own phone," he said. "It is very important to learn how to talk, to have conversations, and to enjoy one another's company."
The Pope also highlighted the importance of prayer, reminding the children that "even if we can have the Bible and prayers on our phones, God does not want to look at our phones," adding that "God wants to look at our hearts and at our lives."
Recognizing digital dependence
Speaking particularly to the older children, Pope Leo warned that many applications are deliberately designed to keep users engaged for long periods of time.
"They try to make us dependent on this technology," he said. He suggested setting practical limits on screen use, such as putting phones away at certain times of the day and making space for conversation and family activities.
"We are not all plugged into a cable," he noted. "We are human beings."
The Pope then encouraged the children to develop both their human and spiritual lives by cultivating relationships, seeking God in prayer, and avoiding forms of dependence that can limit their freedom.
Learning to think for ourselves
Another young participant then asked the Pope about his experiences traveling around the world.
Drawing on his own travels, Pope Leo recalled several occasions when GPS navigation systems led him in the wrong direction. "In Italy, in other European countries, in Peru, and once even in the United States, I followed the GPS, and it took me down the wrong road," he said.
The Pope explained that "it is much better to learn to think for ourselves and to develop the critical ability to know where we are going in life."
He then encouraged the children to make full use of the abilities God has given them rather than relying entirely on technology.
"I do not need my phone if my brain is working," he said, adding that preparation and good judgment help people navigate difficulties and find solutions when unexpected problems arise.
Prayer with the Pope
At the end of the encounter, Pope Leo XIV was named "Chief Explorer" of the summer camp and was presented with an explorer's kit and a commemorative plaque.
He invited the children to pray with him and encouraged them to tell their parents that they had prayed together with the Pope. "Prayer is very important for us," he concluded. "We want Jesus to be here with us."
‘Welcome!’ Pope Leo begins summer holidays in Castel Gandolfo
Pope Leo XIV arrives at Castel Gandolfo on Sunday afternoon at the start of his summer holidays, and he was welcomed by a large group of the faithful, including several religious sisters.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
The sign the Pope was arriving came with the opening of the gate and the exit of two Swiss Guards. Then the roar of motorcycle engines and the dark car appeared from the bottom of the hill before pausing for the Pope to get out to greet the long line of people standing in the sun, who had been waiting for at least a couple of hours behind the barriers that even the mayor had helped to set up this morning. At around 5 p.m., Pope Leo XIV arrived at Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Popes 25 km from Rome, where he will spend a period of summer rest until 20 July and then again for a few days in August.
Crowds welcoming the Pope's arrival to Castel Gandolfo (@Vatican Media)
Crowds await the Pope
In the main square where the Apostolic Palace stands, opened to the public by Pope Francis when it was transformed it into a museum, life passed by quietly for a few hours: tourists were sitting in coffee bars and restaurants, visiting shops, and coming and going from the museum complex. All this until 4.30 p.m., the time when it became known that the Pope would be leaving Rome for Castel Gandolfo. Then people began to move towards the entrance of Villa Barberini, the ancient building where Pope Leo will be staying, joining the already large crowd of people gathered on both sides of the street: police, journalists, local residents, other tourists, families and various groups of nuns.
Other groups waited for the motorcade to pass at the foot of Salita di Sant'Antonio, the road leading to the historic center. At Bar Etto, overlooking Lake Albano, a black banner with white lettering read: “Welcome Pope Leo”. There, a group of nuns waited for his arrival, praying the Rosary. Meanwhile, a woman on the other side of the street shouted to an acquaintance: “Is he coming here or not?” “Yes, yes, he will be arriving.”
The Pope's arrival and welcome of the faithful
Applause and chants accompanied the passage of the papal vehicle. A few meters from the entrance to Villa Barberini, as noted above, Pope Leo stopped the car and immediately made his way to the people, who called from one side and the other: “Pope Leo!” “Your Holiness!” “Holy Father!” His first gesture was to bless some children in their parents' arms, then he greeted some elderly ladies. Among them was Conchita, a Spanish woman from Zaragoza, on holiday in Rome: “I shook his hand and said: Pope Leo, te quiero mucho” (Pope Leo, I love you very much).
The nuns of the Congregation of the Presentation of Mary, originally from Cameroon, called out to the Pope in French, hoping he would come closer. Leo XIV shook as many hands as possible, then headed inside the Villa where Sister Raffaella Petrini, president of the Vatican Governorate; Bishop Vincenzo Viva, director of the Pontifical Villas; Andrea Tamburelli; and Mayor Alberto De Angelis were waiting for him.
Greetings
Also present was Don Tadeusz Rozmus, Polish parish priest of the pontifical parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova, where the Pope will celebrate Mass on Sunday 13 July, his first public engagement in the Lazio municipality. A well-known biker, the parish priest joked with journalists outside Villa Barberini, saying that he had offered to accompany the Pope on his motorbike around Castel Gandolfo. “It was a formal/informal meeting, in the sense that the Holy Father greeted us but also stopped to talk to us for a while, offering words of encouragement and thanks for the preparation of all this. He was very open, very kind, smiling.”
A surprise appearance
Once the gate was closed and the crowd began to disperse towards the square and the lake area, a woman's cry caught everyone's attention: Pope Leo suddenly appeared on the balcony of the Villa. Behind the yellow and white flag of Vatican City and behind the ivy-covered wooden panels, the Pope waved to the people on the street. A few moments of great enthusiasm immortalized by smartphones and cameras.
Pope Leo XIV to spend summer holidays in Castel Gandolfo
Pope Leo XIV will spend half of July and a weekend in August at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, celebrating Sunday Mass in local churches and praying the Angelus with pilgrims in the town's Liberty Square.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV will resume the tradition of spending some time in Castel Gandolfo during the summer holidays.
According to a statement published by the Prefecture of the Papal Household on Tuesday, the Holy Father will spend two separate periods in the hilltop town near Rome.
He will spend half of July at the papal residence and then return for the holiday of the Feast of the Assumption on August 15.
Pope's schedule for July and August
On the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, the Holy Father will travel to the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest, according to the statement.
On Sunday, July 13, at 10:00 AM, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, and at 12:00 PM he will recite the Angelus prayer in Liberty Square, in front of the Apostolic Palace.
On Sunday, July 20, at 9:30 AM, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of Albano. At noon, he will again recite the Angelus prayer in Liberty Square in Castel Gandolfo.
That afternoon, the Holy Father will return to the Vatican, where he will remain until traveling back to Castel Gandolfo in mid-August. The Jubilee of Youth is scheduled to take place on July 28 to August 3.
During the month of July, all private audiences are suspended, as well as the Wednesday General Audiences on July 2, 9, 16, and 23. The weekly General Audiences will resume on July 30.
On Friday, August 15, at 10:00 AM, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Pontifical Parish of Castel Gandolfo, reciting the noon-day Angelus in Liberty Square.
He will again recite the Angelus on Sunday, August 17, at noon in Liberty Square.
That afternoon, Pope Leo XIV will depart from Castel Gandolfo and return to the Vatican.
