Pope Leo might have company in Apostolic Palace

The decision, reported earlier this month by the Italian daily La Repubblica, reflects the Pope’s determination to preserve the communal life of his religious order even after his election to the papacy.

“The idea is not yet official, but should become a reality in the fall,” La Repubblica said. 

Leo had been expected to move into the papal apartment, a tradition that had not been taken up by Pope Francis, but word of friars joining him had not previously been reported.

The Italian daily said that workers are renovating the third floor of the Apostolic Palace to accommodate the housemates. The work has delayed the Pope taking up residence, the newspaper said. Ten rooms have so far been refurbished, including the study used for the Sunday Angelus, the Pope’s bedroom, a reception room and a chapel.

It’s unclear when workers will finish work on the apartment and when Leo plans to move in.

The new configuration will not only house the Pope and his secretary, Fr Edgar Rimaycuna, but will also provide space for several Augustinian friars. “The idea is to create a small community of three or four Augustinians who would share daily life with their brother, the Pope,” La Repubblica reported.

The friars most likely to live with the Pope are those already serving in the papal sacristy: an Italian, a Filipino and a Nigerian. According to the same report, Pope Leo already regularly has meals with them, maintaining a habit of community life.

Pope Leo has said repeatedly that he does not intend to abandon the Augustinian way of life. “I will have to give up many things,” he told his confreres on May 13, a few days after his election. “My life has changed, but I will never give up being an Augustinian.”

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Pope Leo to include housemates in Apostolic Palace (By Camillo Barone/NCR)