ROME (AP) Pope Leo XIV officially moved into the newly renovated papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace on Saturday, marking a significant transition in his pontificate, which approaches its one-year anniversary. This apartment, located on the third floor and offering a view of St. Peter’s Square, was previously unused during Pope Francis's 12-year tenure. The move indicates a consolidation of Leo's leadership team and a shift in papal style.
After being elected in May, Leo XIV resided in a modest flat within the Palazzo del Sant’Uffizio, the Vatican's head office for doctrinal matters. Although he made this choice initially, extensive renovations were carried out in anticipation of his move to the more grandiose papal apartment. This included updates to the electric and plumbing systems, which had fallen behind during the time it was left vacant under Francis.
Pope Francis chose not to inhabit the traditional papal residence, expressing a preference for the community atmosphere at the Santa Marta residence, where visiting priests and cardinals stay. This decision aligned with his simpler lifestyle and unique approach to papal duties, but it also repurposed the entire second floor of the hotel for the papacy, limiting accommodations for guests.
In contrast, Leo XIV, recognized as the first U.S. pope, has indicated comfort with the traditional symbols of the papacy. His decision to take up residence in the Apostolic Palace has been welcomed by conservative commentators, supporting their view of honoring papal authority. Following his election, Leo had previously walked through the residence's ornate reception areas and private chapel, which had remained sealed in accordance with papal custom after Francis’s passing on April 21.
The timing of Leo’s move suggests an awakening in his papacy, as recent weeks have seen significant appointments within the Vatican bureaucracy. He named Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín of Spain as head of the Vatican's charity office, reflecting a proactive approach to governance as he fills key positions. Notably, Leonardo has assembled a close-knit team of four aides to support his papal duties, although the Vatican has not disclosed who will reside with him in the apartment.
Among the aides are key figures such as his secretary, Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga from Peru, and the vice regent of the papal household, Rev. Edward Daniang Daleng, who is also an Augustinian priest from Nigeria. Additionally, Leo appointed Anton Kappler, a former Swiss Guard lieutenant, and Piergiorgio Zanetti, a former gendarme, to help manage his administrative tasks.
With these developments, Pope Leo XIV is poised to embrace a more traditional and ceremonial papacy, setting a different tone from his predecessor. As he settles into the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican anticipates a more structured and engaged approach in the upcoming months, marking a new chapter in the history of the Holy See.
