When you picture where the Pope lives, your brain probably goes straight to a massive, gilded bedroom inside a Renaissance palace. You imagine him waking up surrounded by Michelangelo frescoes and marble floors that haven't been touched by anyone without a title in five hundred years. Honestly, that’s exactly how it was for over a century. If you walked into St. Peter’s Square and looked up at the top floor of the massive building to the right of the basilica, you’d be looking at the Apostolic Palace. That’s the official answer to the question of where does the pope live in vatican city.
But things changed in 2013, and they stayed "different" for over a decade. Pope Francis, known for being a bit of a rebel when it comes to tradition, basically looked at the official papal apartments and said, "No thanks." Instead of the palace, he moved into a guesthouse. It’s called Casa Santa Marta (or Domus Sanctae Marthae).
However, if you're planning a trip to Rome in 2026, there’s a new name you need to know: Pope Leo XIV. After the passing of Pope Francis in early 2025, the new American-born Pope made a pretty big statement by moving right back into the traditional apartments. The "hotel life" era of the papacy is officially over.
The Shift Back to the Apostolic Palace
So, as of early 2026, the Pope is back in the Apostolic Palace. For those who like the nitty-gritty details, he’s on the third floor (which is actually the fourth floor if you’re using American floor numbering).
Why does this matter? Well, for twelve years, the windows that people used to watch for a light at night—the ones on the far right of the palace facade—were mostly dark. Francis only went there to lead the Angelus on Sundays or to meet with world leaders. Now, that top floor is actually a home again.
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What’s inside the Papal Apartment?
It’s not as "MTV Cribs" as you might think. Even though it's in a palace, the actual living quarters are relatively modest by royal standards. We're talking about roughly ten rooms.
- The Private Study: This is where the heavy lifting happens. It’s a room filled with books, a large desk, and a view of the square that would make any real estate agent weep.
- The Chapel: Every Pope has a private place to pray.
- The Bedroom: It’s actually quite simple. No massive canopy beds here; usually just a single bed, a crucifix, and a nightstand.
- The Kitchen and Dining Room: While there are staff to help, the Pope often eats his meals here in relative solitude or with his closest secretaries.
Why Everyone Still Talks About Casa Santa Marta
You can't really talk about where the Pope lives without mentioning the "Vatican Hotel," Casa Santa Marta. This building is a five-story blocky structure tucked away behind the sacristy of St. Peter's. It was built in 1996 by Pope John Paul II. Its original job? A place for cardinals to sleep during a conclave so they didn't have to sleep on cots in the hallways of the Sistine Chapel anymore.
Pope Francis loved it because it was social. He ate in the common dining room. He bumped into priests and visitors in the hallways. He lived in Suite 201, which had a small sitting room and a bedroom.
But staying there was actually a logistical nightmare for security. The Swiss Guard had to secure a public guesthouse 24/7. By the end of Francis’s time, reports suggested it was costing nearly €200,000 a month just to maintain the extra security and medical facilities needed to keep a Pope in a hotel.
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Leo XIV’s move back to the palace wasn't just about tradition; it was a massive budget-saving move. It’s way easier to guard a palace that was built to be a fortress than a modern guesthouse with thin walls and shared elevators.
Historical Residences: It Wasn’t Always the Vatican
Believe it or not, the Vatican hasn't always been the "it" spot for popes. For about a thousand years, they lived at the Lateran Palace on the other side of Rome. If you go there today, you can still see the "Mother of all Churches," the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Then there was the Quirinal Palace. That was the summer home until 1870. It’s huge—way bigger than the Vatican. But when Italy became a unified country, the Pope lost his territory and the King of Italy moved in. Today, the President of Italy lives there.
A Typical Day in the Life (2026 Edition)
Life for Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace follows a rhythm that has existed for centuries.
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- 5:00 AM: Wake up and pray in the private chapel.
- 7:00 AM: Mass. Usually, this is now held in the more private setting of the palace rather than the public chapel at Santa Marta.
- Breakfast: Simple, usually coffee and some fruit.
- Morning Meetings: This is when he heads down one floor to the second floor, where the formal audience rooms are. This is where he meets bishops, prime ministers, and celebrities.
- Lunch: Back up to the third floor.
- Siesta/Rest: A quick break before afternoon paperwork.
- Evening: Walking in the Vatican Gardens. This is the Pope's "backyard"—57 acres of manicured lawns, grottos, and fountains. It’s the only place he can really be "outside" without being mobbed.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the Pope "owns" the palace. He doesn't. He’s basically a tenant. He doesn't own a car, he doesn't own the furniture, and he doesn't have a bank account in the traditional sense. Everything is provided by the Holy See for his role as the head of the Church. When a Pope dies or resigns, his secretaries have to pack up his personal books and clothes and move out immediately so the "apartment" can be sealed until the next guy is elected.
Another thing? People think the whole palace is his house. Nope. Most of that massive building is actually the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Library, and various administrative offices. The actual living space is a tiny fraction of the total square footage.
Practical Insights for Visitors
If you're heading to the Vatican to catch a glimpse of where the Pope lives, here’s how to do it:
- Look for the Window: On Sundays at noon, the Pope appears at the second window from the right on the top floor of the Apostolic Palace to give the Angelus. That’s the closest you’ll get to his actual living room.
- Book the Gardens: You can’t go inside the papal apartments (obviously), but you can book a tour of the Vatican Gardens. This gives you a view of the back of the palace and Casa Santa Marta.
- The Summer Residence: Don't bother going to Castel Gandolfo expecting to find the Pope. While it used to be the summer home, Francis turned it into a museum. Leo XIV hasn't shown much interest in moving back there yet, preferring to stay in the city.
The move back to the Apostolic Palace marks a return to a more "formal" papacy in 2026. While the world got used to seeing a Pope live like a common priest in a guesthouse, the reality of security and cost has brought the office back to its historic home. It’s a blend of ancient tradition and modern necessity that keeps the tiny city-state running.
To see the residence for yourself, plan your visit for a Sunday morning or a Wednesday general audience. Just remember that while you're looking at the history of the walls, someone is up there actually trying to get through a very long to-do list.