Pope Leo XIV’s summer stay in Castel Gandolfo has offered more than a change of scenery. During the latest Relevant in Rome segment, Ashley Noronha joined Mark Swartzberg to discuss how the Holy Father’s quieter schedule has still been filled with meaningful moments that reflect his priorities for the Church and the world.
Ashley explained that Castel Gandolfo, perched above Lake Albano, provides a welcome respite from Rome’s summer heat. The town, known as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, has enthusiastically welcomed the return of a pope spending an extended stay there after many years. While Pope Leo’s schedule is less demanding than in Rome, he continues to hold private audiences, write, and carry out the responsibilities of his office.
One highlight of the Pope’s stay was a classical concert held in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. Organized by the Diocese of Albano, the evening featured sacred and classical music performed in his honor. Ashley noted that Pope Leo reflected afterward on the importance of beauty, explaining that authentic beauty lifts the human heart toward God and offers hope in a world marked by conflict and suffering. Rather than viewing the concert as simple entertainment, he presented sacred music as a way of drawing people closer to the Lord. Mark observed that the combination of the area’s natural beauty and sacred music offered a fitting setting for rest and contemplation.
The conversation also turned to one of the Pope’s unexpected outings during his vacation. Pope Leo made a surprise pilgrimage to the Abbey of Monte Cassino, where he prayed at the tomb of St. Benedict and shared a meal with the Benedictine monks. Ashley explained that the visit came just days after the feast of St. Benedict and reflected the Pope’s continued appeals for peace throughout the world. Monte Cassino itself carries deep symbolism, having been destroyed during World War II before being rebuilt. The abbey stands today as a reminder that renewal can emerge even after tremendous destruction.
Ashley and Mark also reflected on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene and the many traditions that surround her throughout Italy. Ashley highlighted a relic traditionally identified as part of St. Mary Magdalene’s cloak, housed at the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in Rome. Across Italy, communities celebrate her feast with processions, pilgrimages, special liturgies, and local customs that honor her witness to Christ’s Resurrection and her role as the first to proclaim the Good News to the Apostles.
Finally, the discussion addressed the appointment of Giovanni Boscia as the new director general of the Vatican Bank, formally known as the Institute for the Works of Religion. Ashley explained that the institution has undergone significant reforms over the past 15 years, beginning under Pope Benedict XVI and continuing under Pope Francis. Increased financial oversight, anti-money laundering measures, independent auditing, and stronger transparency have helped restore confidence in the Vatican’s financial operations. Mark noted that independent assessments now recognize the institution as a fundamentally different organization than it was in previous decades, reflecting the Church’s ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship.