Parish priest of Castel Gandolfo: 'We hope Pope Leo will enjoy true rest here'

“Our hope is that the Holy Father will be well here in Castel Gandolfo, that he may rest and accomplish what he himself has said is the purpose of his stay: prayer, rest, reading and sport.”

This is the wish expressed by Father Tadeusz Rozmus, SDB, parish priest of the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova, in an interview with Vatican News.

The Polish Salesian priest speaks about the first days of the Pope’s summer stay, recalls last year’s visit, and describes the excitement of local residents at the Pope’s return to the Apostolic Palace.

Father Tadeusz first expresses his gratitude because, in his first greeting from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace, Leo XIV addressed a personal greeting to the parish priest and the parish community. It came as a complete surprise to him.

“For me it was an enormous surprise. I saw it as a recognition of the importance of our Pontifical Parish. Although the Vatican institutions located here operate independently, under Canon Law the parish and its parish priest have an important role. It was a very beautiful gesture by the Holy Father toward our entire community.”