To Restore Both Body and Soul
Pope Leo XIV has revived the papal tradition of leaving the Vatican to go to Castel Gandolfo some 18 miles south of Rome for the purpose of getting away from the heat of Rome and to enjoy some summer rest. This has been a long-standing tradition among the popes, including Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. During this break of various lengths, the popes would pray, rest, study, write certain documents, give the Sunday Angelus message and greet the people of the town who looked forward to the papal visits every year. Pope Francis, during his pontificate, did not make this visit, but stayed in the Vatican for the summer months. While he encouraged summer rest and vacation, he chose not to take it in this fashion. Pope Leo, much to the excitement of the people of Castel Gandolfo, left for a two-week time of rest on July 8. Before leaving from Rome, he said to the people at the conclusion of his Angelus greeting on Sunday, “This afternoon, I will travel to Castel Gandolfo, where I intend to have a short period of rest. I hope that everyone will be able to enjoy some vacation time in order to restore both body and spirit.” It has been reported that, since the pope enjoys playing tennis, a new tennis court has been installed on the property for his use. It has also been reported that the pool on the property has been refreshed for his use. St. John Paul II loved to use this pool on his visits. He liked to joke that the expense of maintaining a swimming pool was much less than that of another conclave.
While it is necessary for the popes to have some well-deserved time for rest and reflection during the summer, Pope Leo is also giving a very good living example of the importance of this for all people. God created us in his image and likeness, with a special dignity which requires the care for our human body and spirit. It is interesting to reflect upon the words of the Book of Genesis after the creation of the world, when we are told that on that seventh day God Himself rested. Rest and the enjoyment of the goods which God has given to us in creation are not a luxury but part of the balance of human life as created by God.
The Lord is a good example of taking time for proper rest. He has been seen many times in the Gospel accounts as going by Himself to rest and pray, and sometimes inviting his disciples to be with him on these occasions. Many times, His rest was interrupted, but it always gave Him the opportunity to return to His ministry with renewed vigor, which He communicated to his followers. Christ knew that activity was very important, but that reflection, wonder and appreciation of life through communion with God are at the center of what life is all about.
No matter what our vacation plans may be, summer gives us all a chance to get more in touch with the meaning of life so that we can face our everyday work and situations fully alive through God’s vision in creating us. We should use the leisure of summer to get more in touch with ourselves and with God in a manner that carries us throughout the year.
Summer helps us to appreciate other people, our families and our being made in the image and likeness of God. Without the continued concern for daily routines, we can look upon others for their true value and even be more understanding of their shortcomings. Summer gives us an opportunity to be more with our families. We can spend more time with them and appreciate better the gift of God that they are. We can cultivate family relationships and friendships through leisure and build up the bond which is at the core of family life.
Above all, summer gives us the chance to go directly to God through prayer. We have not only the opportunity to see God’s face in the beauty of His creation and others, but also to speak directly with Him and listen to His response to us. Through prayer, we come more in union with our Creator and experience the real meaning of what life is all about. No other activity is more significant than this.
While Pope Francis chose not to go to Castel Gandolfo, he often spoke of the need for rest, relaxation and prayerful union with God and quiet times. He said, “During summertime, let us learn how to take a break, turn off mobile phones, to gaze into the eyes of others, cultivate silence, contemplate nature, regenerate ourselves and dialogue with God.” He encouraged others to take a break and to enjoy needed time for rest and relaxation. However, Pope Francis found a special joy by continually being at work. He had a unique love for work, which was seen even in the days of his serious illness before his death. However, that particular gift that Pope Francis had of continually being on the move was not to encourage others to do the same, as this goes against the manner in which God created us. That was a special gift of Pope Francis.
At one of the Masses during the period of mourning for Pope Francis, his good friend, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, remarked on this. He said that, even though Pope Francis never took a day off as pope and as an archbishop and priest in Buenos Aires, this should not be taken as an example. However, he emphasized that Pope Francis’ “life is an incentive to carry out our work generously.” Rest is needed to do that.
Pope Leo XIV’s time away at Castel Gandolfo is not only to give him “some vacation time in order to restore both body and spirit” but also to set an example for all of us in this regard. We were blessed by the example of Pope Francis, as we are now blessed by the example of Pope Leo. May we use the time of summer to appreciate more our work and to rest in order to enjoy our life and work more fully.
Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
