After the whirlwind of his election and a nonstop round of public and private meetings ever since, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to take some time to rest and recharge. Choosing where to take his vacation was a simple decision.

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday heads to the papal summer residence for a six-week vacation, giving the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year pontificate.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday restarted a papal tradition, leaving the Vatican for the summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo. The small town about 15 miles south of the Vatican has hosted popes for the summer dating back to the 1600s, but Pope Francis never took a summer vacation during his 12-year papacy.

Pope Leo XIV is starting a six-week vacation this weekend at the papal summer retreat south of Rome. It's his first break since his historic election in May.

Pope Leo will continue to deliver his weekly Angelus addresses from Liberty Square (Piazza della Libertà) in front of the pontifical palace on July 13 and on July 20.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday heads to the papal summer residence for a six-week vacation , giving the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo back its most illustrious resident after Pope Francis stayed away during his 12-year pontificate.