This afternoon, Pope Leo XIV will take up residence in the Apostolic Palace, moving in with close collaborators into spaces previously used by his predecessors, as confirmed by a Vatican statement. Leo, the first pope from the United States, made the decision to relocate after being elected on May 8, 2025, to lead 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The Apostolic Palace had been left vacant by the late Pope Francis, who chose a modest residence in another part of the Vatican, requiring renovations to be suitable for use.

In the interim, the 70-year-old Leo continued to live in the Holy Service residences near the Vatican, where he resided during his time as a cardinal. The spacious apartment that Leo has moved into includes several rooms such as bedrooms, a chapel, a lobby, a library, a study, a dining room, and a space from which the pope delivers the "Angelus" prayer to the public every Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis shocked traditionalists when, after his election in 2013, he decided to reside in simpler quarters rather than the lavish accommodations of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Leo's decision to move into the Apostolic Palace marks a return to traditional papal practices, which could signal a shift in the tone of leadership within the Catholic Church. As the first American pope, his new role and living situation may draw scrutiny and expectations regarding his governance and the direction in which he will lead the church. Observers will be watching closely to see how he balances tradition with the changes initiated by his predecessors.