Pope Leo to escape Rome's summer heat with July stay at Castel Gandolfo

Pope Leo XIV is set to spend half of July at his Castel Gandolfo summer residence, away from the sweltering Roman summer.

The Vatican confirmed on Tuesday that the pontiff will stay in the traditional papal residence on the shores of Lake Albano from July 6 to 20, with an additional weekend break in mid-August over the Feast of the Assumption.

The move revives a centuries-old practice discontinued under Pope Francis, who remained in the Vatican.

While Rome's midday heat has soared past 35 degrees Celsius this month, Castel Gandolfo's estate is roughly 10 degrees cooler.

The Pope's public and private audiences have all been suspended from July 2 through July 23, and Vatican activities will resume on July 30.