From vast libraries to rooms filled with sacred artifacts: Inside stunning palace Pope Leo may call home

From vast libraries to rooms filled with sacred artifacts: Inside stunning palace Pope Leo may call home
Unlike Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV may choose to reside in the Apostolic Palace (Getty Images)

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV has already made history as the first American to lead the Catholic Church

The 69-year-old Chicago native officially took the reins on Thursday, May 8, after winning the cardinals' conclave vote. But now that he’s settled into the role, he's got more than just spiritual matters on his plate — like where he's actually going to live.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 08: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

His predecessor, Pope Francis, who died aged 88 on Easter Monday, drew applause when he ditched the posh Apostolic Palace and opted for a much more low-key setup at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican's guesthouse. 

TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 26: Pope Francis is bade farewell by senior Catholic clergy as he prepares t
Pope Francis is bade farewell by senior Catholic clergy as he prepares to board his plane before leaving Japan on the final day of his four-day visit, on November 26, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan (Carl Court/Getty Images)

That move set a tone of humility and simplicity — and it looks like Pope Leo might just follow in his footsteps.

Having spent years as a missionary in Peru, Leo’s no stranger to modest living. So, while he now has the keys to Rome’s opulent Apostolic Palace, he might just pass them up for something simpler, as per LaDbible.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 9: A view of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Popes, and the penultimate window on the third floor, from which the Pontiff recites the Sunday Angelus is seen the first day of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV on May 9, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early yesterday evening as the Conclave elected the American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pontiff. The moderate from Chicago and a close friend of Pope Francis will be known as Pope Leo XIV. (Photo by Laura Lezza/Getty Images)
A view of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Popes, and the penultimate window on the third floor, from which the Pontiff recites the Sunday Angelus, is seen on the first day of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV on May 9, 2025, in Vatican City (Laura Lezza/Getty Images)

Pope Leo XIV will have 1,000 rooms to roam in at Apostolic Palace

While Pope Leo XIV may not be chasing the luxe life, the job certainly comes with its perks. Since stepping into the papal shoes, he’s already been handed a gold ring worth a jaw-dropping $500,000 plus his own custom bulletproof "popemobile." And even if he doesn’t crash at the Apostolic Palace, he still gets VIP access to all its iconic treasures.

A view of Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace during 'Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Prize 2024' on November 22, 2024, in Vatican City, Vatican (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
A view of Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace during 'Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Prize 2024' on November 22, 2024, in Vatican City, Vatican (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

These include 1,000-plus rooms filled with masterpieces — from the Sistine Chapel to Raphael’s Rooms and the Borgia Apartments. Furthermore, the Apostolic Palace includes private chapels, vast libraries, and sacred artifacts that the public only dreams of seeing.

Pope John Paul II baptizes 18 babies in the Sistine Chapel (Alberto Pizzoli/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
Pope John Paul II baptizes 18 babies in the Sistine Chapel (Alberto Pizzoli/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

Looking at what the pope actually earns — it’s not your standard paycheck situation. The Vatican is basically the world’s smallest but most powerful all-inclusive resort. They take care of everything: housing, meals, travel, healthcare, security, and more.



 

There’s talk that popes might be “entitled” to a salary of around $2,700 a month, but Pope Francis famously refused any kind of personal income. He chose instead to live like his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi — embracing simplicity and charity. But even without a salary and the Vatican footing every bill, the perks are pretty incredible.

Pope Francis presides at an Ordinary Consistory of Cardinals at the Apostolic Palace on July 1, 2024 ,in Vatican City, Vatican (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
Pope Francis presides at an Ordinary Consistory of Cardinals at the Apostolic Palace on July 1, 2024, in Vatican City (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

Francis may not have drawn a paycheck, but he certainly wasn’t broke. Between Vatican resources and donations, some estimates put his net worth in the millions. He also had a generous allowance for charitable giving — something Leo may inherit as well.



 

Pope Leo XIV could also opt to live at a breathtaking clifftop retreat

Pope Leo XIV has the choice to live a luxe life in the grand Apostolic Palace, or maybe something a little more low-key.

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 28Pope Benedict XVI addresses pilgrims, for the last time as head of the Catholic Church, from the window of Castel Gandolfo where he will start his retirement today on February 28, 2013 in Rome, Italy. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He will stay at the Papal Summer residence of Castel Gandolfo until renovations are complete at a monastery in the grounds of the Vatican and will be known as Roman Pope Emeritus. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Castel Gandolfo on February 28, 2013, in Rome, Italy (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

One tempting option on the table is Castel Gandolfo, a 135-acre hilltop retreat with stunning views of Lake Albano.



 

But if Leo is serious about following Francis’s example — and insiders say he is — he might very well skip all that opulence.

For now, what we do know is that Pope Leo is setting a tone of unity and purpose. 

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 08: Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd from St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave on May 08, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd from St Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave on May 8, 2025, in Vatican City (Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

During his first sermon earlier this week, he spoke in English to his cardinals. “I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel," he shared. 

Before he took over the papacy, Leo reportedly made between $4,300 and $5,400 a month as a cardinal — but now, his life is set to look quite different.

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