Pope Leo XIV: Decision on Residence Imminent
In Rome, there is speculation about where the newly elected Pope Leo XIV will live. It is unclear whether Robert Francis Prevost, who as a cardinal has lived in the Palace of the Holy Office in the Vatican since 2023, will move into the Santa Marta guesthouse like his predecessor Francis, or if he will live in the Apostolic Palace like Benedict XVI.
The decision of where the new Pope will reside is not trivial for Leo XIV, as it conveys an idea of the image the first North American Pope wants to project. Prevost had the opportunity to get to know the Santa Marta residence up close during the days of the conclave, where Pope Francis has lived since the beginning of his pontificate in 2013.
Pope Francis chose the Santa Marta guesthouse
Pope Francis has lived since his election in 2013 in the Vatican guesthouse Santa Marta, not far from St. Peter's Basilica. Unlike many predecessors, he decided against the apartment prepared for him in the Apostolic Palace. The Domus Sanctae Marthae, as it is officially called, is located in the south of the Vatican City and close to the Vatican Gardens. Francis had already stayed at Santa Marta as a cardinal during visits to Rome.
His decision not to move into the apartment in the Apostolic Palace, as has been customary for a long time, was considered a sign of humility. A virtue that the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires always valued greatly. It was said that he chose a simple form of living together with other priests and bishops. He wanted to live with other members of the clergy in a normal and very simple way.
Benedict XVI lived in the Apostolic Palace
In contrast, the Apostolic Palace is grand, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It includes, in addition to the papal apartments, chapels and offices of the Roman Curia, as well as parts of the Vatican Museums. The palace is a building complex with about 1,400 rooms and 55,000 square meters of floor space. The building currently used as the papal residence was constructed between 1508 and 1519 by Antonio da Sangallo and extends around the central Damasus Courtyard, which was designed by Donato Bramante until 1519.
Benedict XVI lived in the Apostolic Palace. His successor Francis used the palace for work meetings but preferred to live with other cardinals in the Santa Marta guesthouse. The Vatican will announce in the coming days the decision the new Pope will make regarding his residence.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.