By Nicole Winfield, Andrea Rosa, and Maria Selene Clemente, Associated Press
Italy’s Castel Gandolfo (AP) Several dozen refugees, the homeless, and the impoverished, together with the church volunteers who assist them, joined Pope Leo XIV on the final Sunday of his summer vacation. He said a special Mass for them and invited them to the Vatican’s lakeside estate for a lunch of lasagna and roast veal.
Leo greeted them for lunch and said he was delighted to share a meal with them in such a lovely setting that not only lets us appreciate the beauty of creation and nature, but also makes us realize that the most exquisite being is the one made in God’s image, which is all of us.
The visitors included volunteers who manage the diocese’s shelters, clinics, and social service offices, as well as some 110 individuals who are served by the local Caritas church charity. He had been joined by many at Mass in the adjacent Albano shrine of St. Mary.
Leo praised the bond of generosity that had united them in his sermon.
“I urge you to avoid making distinctions between those who appear to give and those who appear to receive, between those who seem impoverished and those who believe they have something to contribute in terms of time, abilities, and assistance,” he stated.
“Everyone in the church is poor and precious, and they all have the same dignity,” he remarked.
As an Augustinian missionary and then as a bishop, Leo, the former Robert Prevost, worked with the impoverished people of Peru for the most of his adult life. He opened soup kitchens and shelters for migrants, raised money to build oxygen plants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and, according to former parishioners and church employees, significantly strengthened the operations of the local Caritas organization.
The meal took place in the gardens of the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo at the Borgo Laudato Si, the Vatican’s environmental education center. Pope Francis’ seminal environmental encyclical Laudato Si (Praised Be) from 2015 inspired the center’s name.
Lasagne, eggplant parmesan, and roast veal were among the dishes served by the local caterers. Fruit salad and cookies named after Pope Dolce Leone were on the menu for dessert.
Rosabal Leon, a Peruvian refugee who has been in Italy for a few months, her husband, and their two kids were among the guests at Leo’s table. Gabriella Oliveiro, an 85-year-old Roman who lives alone, was one of his other luncheon guests, according to the event organizers.
Leo is anticipated to conclude his vacation on Tuesday and head back to the Vatican, but there are hints that he intends to frequently take advantage of the Castel Gandolfo retreat as a way to escape Rome, continuing the practice that Pope Francis had abandoned in favor of Vatican staycations.
John Prevost, Leo’s older brother, told NBC’s Chicago affiliate that the pope enjoyed the vacation and had intended to read a book while on vacation because he enjoys legal thrillers but had not had the time. However, he claimed to have used the estate’s swimming pool and tennis court.
“I understand that the thing Leo missed most about being pope was not being able to drive,” said Prevost, who communicates with the pope every day to share notes on the New York Times daily Wordle puzzle.
According to Prevost, driving is incredibly soothing to him. He also mentioned that his younger brother would always insist on driving himself while they were together. “Definitely,” Prevost responded, laughing, “because if I didn’t, he would be critical of my driving.”
Peeps is the pope’s favorite pizza, pepperoni, and candy, according to Prevost’s interview.
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Winfield reported from Rome, and Rosa from Albano, Italy.
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