Parish priest welcomes new parishioner - the Pope

Parish Priest of Castel Gandolfo: "Popes need this wonderful microclimate"

Father Tadeusz Rozmus, parish priest of Castel Gandolfo, discusses his unique ministry on the occasion of the Pope's arrival there. For him, the Pontiff's stay allows him to meet the faithful more spontaneously than in Rome.

The village of Castel Gandolfo, located on the hills south of Rome, will welcome Pope Leo XIV from July 6 to 20, 2025. He will celebrate Mass on July 13 in the village parish church, dedicated to Saint Thomas of Villanova, an Augustinian monk whose relic the Pope carries in his pastoral cross.

This Polish Salesian, who previously served as provincial in Krakow, missionary in Egypt and Uganda, and then as head of Europe within the Salesian General Council, has been parish priest of Castel Gandolfo since 2021. Along with four Salesian confreres from Brazil, India, and Vietnam, he leads this parish, which has a population of approximately 9,000, in addition to numerous pilgrims and visitors.

How do you feel about your new responsibility as "the Pope's parish priest"?

It would be difficult for me to present myself as "the Pope's parish priest," but Leo XIV will indeed reside within the territory of our parish, which also bears the title of pontifical parish, and which is extraterritorial.

"The residents are all very happy about the Pope's return, which is restoring an ancient tradition."

The Pope's presence will be an important moment, especially with the two Masses he will celebrate in our area, on July 13th in our church and on August 15th in the square. It is a cause for joy and gratitude, and naturally, it also requires special efforts to prepare for the event. In particular, I am currently drawing up a seating plan for the church for the July 13th Mass, in collaboration with the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, the Liturgical Ceremonies Service, and members of the Curia. We must take care of every detail and choose from among numerous requests.

Throughout the year, does the parish of Castel Gandolfo manage to build a stable community with the village's residents, or does it rely primarily on the flow of tourists and pilgrims, as is the case with many parishes in central Rome? We have a stable core of practicing Catholics, but it's true that we're seeing an increase in the number of outside visitors. They're all very happy about the Pope's return, which is reestablishing an ancient tradition: Popes have been coming to Castel Gandolfo for four centuries, and it's also known that Roman emperors came to rest here as early as the first century. There are traces of a residence of Emperor Domitian. There's a wonderful microclimate here.

"The Pope will move from the grandeur of the Vatican to something more intimate."

After a few years of the Pope's absence, this return is therefore a great cause for joy for pilgrims and the villagers.

Have you had the opportunity to meet Leo XIV yet?

I met him three weeks ago, but for a different reason: I came to Rome as part of the Bikers' Jubilee! I'm a biker, a motorcycle enthusiast. We came with 500 bikers for this European gathering, and we participated in the general audience. I was able to greet him; he was delighted to learn that I was the parish priest of Castel Gandolfo. He told me we would see each other again soon!

There is great joy in the village as Leo XIV's arrival approaches. As a parish priest, do you feel that the Pope's presence will also be an opportunity for evangelization, a pastoral opportunity?

The Pope will indeed move from the grandeur of the Vatican to something more intimate, closer, which will give him the opportunity to meet people more spontaneously. John Paul II came often; he called Castel Gandolfo the "second Vatican." He loved these opportunities for contact, which were less formal than in Rome. Castel Gandolfo appears to be a smaller reality... even though, in truth, if you look at the size of this territory, it's twice the size of the Vatican!

In addition to being the parish priest of Castel Gandolfo, you are also the chaplain of the Pontifical Villas. How does this small working community for which you are responsible live?

I am in fact responsible for the pastoral care of about twenty employees of the Pontifical Villas, in addition to the security staff. But Castel Gandolfo now includes other realities with a different status.

"The freshness of the air, the lake, the sea... all this can contribute to the work of the popes, to the development of their thoughts."

For two years, at the request of Pope Francis, the teams of Borgo Laudato Si' have taken responsibility for the gardens. This represents about fifty people who develop initiatives linked to the ecological insights of the Encyclical. In addition, the Vatican Museums have directly managed the Apostolic Palace since it opened to visitors. Each of these institutions has its own chaplain.

John Paul II had close ties with Castel Gandolfo. Is this a legacy that is particularly close to your heart as a Pole?

Many people here have indeed retained a great affection for John Paul II; they carry him in their hearts and still consider him to be 'their' Pope. But Benedict XVI was also very much loved, as were Paul VI, John XXIII... Each of these popes left a deep mark on this land. So I'm very happy that Pope Leo is coming back to enjoy the benefits of Castel Gandolfo. Popes need this microclimate close to Rome, the fresh air, the lake and the sea. All this can contribute to their work and the development of their ideas.

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