Pope Leo XIV Begins Vacation at Castel Gandolfo as Vatican Declares SSPX in Schism

Pope Leo XIV began a summer vacation on Sunday at the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican said. He will remain at the hilltop estate south of Rome until July 27, with all audiences suspended. The pope moved into the Apostolic Palace overlooking Lake Alban rather than the smaller villa used in the past year.

Upon arrival he appeared from the palace balcony overlooking the town’s main piazza to greet residents and offer a blessing. “I’m very happy to be here with you, to be able to spend the next few weeks here for a bit of rest, a bit of prayer, a bit of reading and I hope a bit of sport,” he said. Leo spent July 4 on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, praying at a migrant cemetery.

The visit followed a similar stop last month at a dock in Spain’s Canary Islands. On Saturday he stated that the United States was founded by immigrants and that Christians have an obligation to welcome those seeking shelter. The Vatican on Thursday declared the Society of St.

Pius X in schism after the group consecrated four bishops without papal consent. The bishops and priests were excommunicated, and lay members were warned they risk the same penalty. Leo also issued an encyclical in late May that called for regulation of artificial intelligence and included an apology for the Holy See’s historical role in facilitating slavery.