Pope Leo XIV.: Where will Franziskus live?

The new Pope Leo XIV (69) has already decided: after twelve years of vacancy, the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican will soon become an official Papreisid. As reported, among other things, several Italian newspapers report, the Pope elected on May 6th breaks on this question with the line of its predecessor Franziskus (1936-2025), who had rejected the magnificent apartment after his election in 2013.

It has actually been a tradition since 1871 that the Catholic Church head lives in the Apostolic Palace. However, the Pope Francis, who died in April, had decided not to enter the official residence after his election. Instead, he lived in the Santa Marta guest house, which was much more modest for twelve years. At that time Francis is said to have feared that in the luxurious but secluded palace to expire into depression. The Argentine was more important to the Argentinian than preserving traditions.

The new Pope is now going a different way. the course has already been set for the move, even if there is still an official confirmation. It is difficult to imagine that Leo XIV could ignore the clear demands that were loud in the general congregations in front of the conclave, the sheet writes. Several cardinals would have spoken out openly for a return to the traditional Papitalid.

Before Pope Leo XIV can move into the Apostolic Palace, according to the sheet, extensive renovation work is necessary. In the twelve years of vacancy, lack of care and poor maintenance would have caused considerable damage, it is said. According to “IL Messaggero”, the roof is full of weeds, for example, and certain sections are even at risk of collapse on the facade. However, water break -ins and moisture that parts of the palace would have damaged.

Pope Leo XIV is currently still lived in his previous accommodation in the Palazzo del Sant’Uffizio, where he has lived as head of the dicasterry for the bishops since the beginning of 2023. It should stay there in the next few days and weeks until the renovation work in the Apostolic Palace is completed. His current place of residence is therefore not directly in the Vatican state, but at its immediate border on Italian soil, but only a few meters from St. Peter’s Square.

The seals on the Pope’s apartment in the Apostolic Palace were removed last Sunday in the presence of cardinal treasurer Kevin Joseph Farrell. Now the renovation work begins, the time framework of which is not yet known.