Pope Leo strikes into palace house famously snubbed by Pope Francis | EUROtoday

Pope Leo XIV has formally moved into the newly refurbished papal house within the Apostolic Palace, taking on residence within the flat famously shunned by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

The Vatican confirmed that Leo will share the third-floor house, which affords views of St. Peter’s Square, along with his closest aides.

Since his election final May, Leo had opted to stay in his extra modest flat inside the Vatican’s Palazzo del Sant’Uffizio, a constructing housing the Holy See doctrine workplace.

The transfer follows a 10-month interval of in depth renovations to the Apostolic Palace house.

It had remained vacant all through Francis’ 12-year papacy, requiring important upgrades to its electrical, plumbing, and different important utilities.

A crane was noticed on web site in current months because the completion date approached.

Pope Francis famously selected to not inhabit the grand residence, stating a choice for being surrounded by others.

He as a substitute resided within the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence, an institutional resort usually utilized by visiting clergymen and cardinals throughout conclaves.

Francis’ alternative was consistent with his easy style and disdain for the pomp of the papacy. But the sensible impact additionally meant that all the second ground of the resort was turned over to the pope, decreasing its capability for paying company.

Leo has made clear he’s extra comfy utilizing the normal garb and accoutrements of the papacy.

His determination to maneuver into the Apostolic Palace has been praised specifically by conservative commentators who see it as an indication of respect for the papacy.

Leo had really taken formal possession of the residence within the days after his election, strolling by the reception rooms and the small chapel reserved for his private use.

It had been sealed as known as for by papal protocol, with a purple ribbon and wax, after Francis died on 21 April 2025, although he had died in his resort room.