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Among Pope Leo’s roommates is Father Edgard Rimaycuna, his longtime secretary from Peru who has been at his side since his pastoral work in South America. Others are expected to play important roles in helping him carry out his vision of servant leadership.
This is not just a logistical choice—it’s a reflection of the Augustinian order to which Pope Leo belongs. Augustinians emphasize community life, humility, and closeness with the people they serve.
For Pope Leo, a working-class kid from Chicago’s immigrant neighborhoods, it’s also personal. He never forgot his roots, and that perspective now guides how he approaches leadership in the Catholic Church.
The decision is a stark contrast to Pope Francis. In 2013, Francis refused to live in the papal apartments at all, opting instead for a Vatican guesthouse to avoid what he saw as unnecessary luxury.
Pope Leo is taking another path—moving into the traditional residence, but on his own terms. By sharing the space, he’s rewriting what it means to live in the heart of the Vatican.
The 10-room suite had been unoccupied for years. After Francis’ passing in April, the apartments were sealed in a traditional ceremony before undergoing months of heavy renovations to repair water damage and humidity problems. Now, technicians have completed the restoration, and Leo is set to move in with his new housemates.
For anyone wondering why the Pope would choose this path, his own words provide the answer. In 2024, Pope Leo told Vatican News: “A bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them and to suffer with them.”
Think about that. At a time when world leaders often isolate themselves in power and privilege, the Pope of the Catholic Church is insisting that leadership means living side by side with others—and sharing daily life with them.
This mindset is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Coming from a tough Chicago neighborhood, Pope Leo has always emphasized humility, fraternity, and service. To him, leadership is not about ruling from a throne—it’s about walking alongside the faithful.
Unsurprisingly, reaction to the news has been divided. Traditionalists see the move as yet another disruption of long-standing papal customs. But others are praising Leo’s willingness to humanize the papacy in a way few could imagine.
Jesuit author James Martin expressed his support earlier this year on social media, writing: “We need to trust Pope Leo’s discernment in this and all things — and wish him well in his new digs!”
The Apostolic Palace, which dates back to the 15th century, has hosted countless Popes, witnessed wars and reforms, and even holds the Sistine Chapel. But now, for the first time in history, it will house a pontiff who refuses to live in solitude at the very top.
This decision might seem minor at first glance, but it speaks volumes. At a time when the Catholic Church faces crises of trust, division, and declining attendance, an American Pope is reminding the world that the heart of Christianity is service, humility, and community.
For a Church often accused of being out of touch, Pope Leo XIV may have just delivered a quiet but powerful message: the papacy is not about privilege, but about living as a servant of God alongside His people.
And maybe—just maybe—that’s exactly the kind of change the Vatican needs right now.
