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Pope Leo XIV will live in the attic of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican
Vatican City.- Neither in the Casa Santa Marta like Francis, nor in the spacious apartment of the pontifical palace like the previous popes: Leo XIV has chosen to live in the attic of the building, after having undergone a deep restructuring in the property.
It was already known that Leo XIV would return to the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, which Francis rejected because he felt too isolated, but he will not live in the traditional apartment where previous pontiffs lived, but will stay on the floor between the third loggia -from which he appears every Sunday for the Angelus prayer- and the roof, according to the newspaper “La Repubblica” this Friday.
Vatican sources explained to EFE that Leo XIV will use the spaces available to the popes in the pontifical palace, without specifying where his private room will be.
However, sources consulted confirmed that he has already moved to work during the day to the “studio”, the room from where he appears every Sunday for the Angelus before the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The attic where, according to the Italian newspaper, he will stay is barely visible from the outside except for some windows that peek out above the frames of the huge windows.
For months, workers and cranes have been seen carrying out works on the upper floors of the Apostolic Palace, as it was in poor condition after the 12-year absence of Francis and leaks and dampness had appeared. It was also necessary to renew all the electrical and plumbing circuits.
The works have concluded and, nine months after his election, the transfer of Robert Francis Prevost, who is currently still living in the building adjacent to the Vatican where he was staying as head of the bishops’ dicastery, will take place shortly.
According to “la Repubblica”, the Pope’s reserved character, his American pragmatism and his fondness for sports” have led him to the decision of this more secluded place compared to the rooms of the Third Lodge where the Popes previously had their rooms.
In the attic where he will move, a gym has been set up so that the Pope can continue practicing sports as he already did before his election in a center near the Vatican, while the bedroom will be on the other side, without views of St. Peter’s Square.
That location will not allow to know from the outside if the pope “is at home” nor will it be possible to guess dramatic moments like the night of April 2, 2005, when the light of the room that announced the death of Pope John Paul II was turned on.
The plant to which Prevost will move is quite sober, notes the Roman newspaper, with white as the predominant color and basic commercial-style furniture. There is no bathroom in the room, it is accessed from the hallway, and a kitchen has been built.
Other rooms have been created with divisions to accommodate collaborators such as the two private secretaries, the Peruvian Edgard Iván Rimaycuna and the Italian Marco Billeri.
There is also a chapel, but it is much smaller than that of the Third Lodge, while an imposing chandelier illuminates the entrance on the ground floor, for the upper floor a modern and more informal LED lamp was chosen.
Leo XIV will also have access to the rooftop where John Paul II commissioned a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes to go and pray.
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