Pope Leo XIV Moves into Apostolic Palace Apartment

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, moved into the traditional papal apartment in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on March 15, 2026, marking a return to a historic residence unused during the previous papacy. The third-floor apartment, overlooking St. Peter's Square, had undergone extensive renovations over the past 10 months to update its electrical systems, plumbing and other utilities. The Holy See announced the move the previous day, as the pontiff's tenure approaches its one-year anniversary following his election in May 2025.

The residence, which includes a private study, dining room and chapel for daily Mass, had remained vacant since Pope Benedict XVI left it in 2013. It was sealed with a red ribbon and wax according to protocol after Pope Francis's death on April 21, 2025, even though he passed away in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta guesthouse. Leo formally took possession of the apartment shortly after his election but delayed occupancy while living in a modest flat at the Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio, the headquarters of the Vatican's doctrine office.

Pope Francis had opted against using the Apostolic Palace, preferring the communal environment of Casa Santa Marta,...