Vatican City – In a quiet yet symbolic return to longstanding tradition, Pope Leo XIV has taken up residence in the traditional papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace, a space famously declined by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
The move occurred on Saturday, March 14, 2026, following extensive renovations to the historic quarters. The Vatican confirmed the transition through its press office, stating that Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by his closest aides and collaborators, now occupies the apartment on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace, overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
The papal apartment—long the official residence of popes since the late 19th century—includes a series of rooms such as bedrooms, a private chapel, a library, an office, a dining area, and the famous studio window used for the Sunday Angelus prayer and public addresses. After Pope Francis’s death in 2025, the apartment had been sealed per protocol, and it required significant updates to address issues like water damage, outdated electrical systems, and modern security enhancements.
Pope Francis, who led the Church from 2013 to 2025, made headlines early in his pontificate by choosing not to live in the grand Apostolic Palace apartment. Instead, he opted for a modest suite at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Casa Santa Marta), the Vatican’s guesthouse, to foster a more communal and less isolated lifestyle among clergy, staff, and visitors. This decision reflected his emphasis on simplicity and closeness to others, and he maintained that arrangement throughout his 12-year tenure.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff (born Robert Francis Prevost), was elected in May 2025. Until the renovations were complete, he continued residing in his previous apartment at the Palazzo del Sant’Uffizio, where he had lived as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops before his election.
The decision to move into the Apostolic Palace apartment marks a subtle shift toward traditional papal arrangements under Leo XIV, while still incorporating elements of his predecessor’s influence—such as being joined by close aides in the residence. Earlier reports had suggested possible alternative accommodations, including a converted attic suite with a gym and chapel, but the Vatican ultimately confirmed the use of the classic papal flat.
Additionally, Pope Leo XIV has resumed use of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, another site Pope Francis had largely set aside.
This change revives over a century of custom for the papal residence, signaling continuity with historical practices even as the new pontiff builds on the legacy of humility and reform established by Pope Francis in other aspects of his ministry. The Vatican described the move as Pope Leo taking possession of the spaces previously used by his predecessors, underscoring a balanced approach to tradition and contemporary papal life.
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