See inside the pope's official residence, an expansive apartment with nearly a dozen rooms

Usually, popes live in the papal apartments at the Apostolic Palace. Pope Leo may buck tradition like Pope Francis. Photos show the spacious quarters.

May 13, 2025 - 21:22

See inside the pope's official residence, an expansive apartment with nearly a dozen rooms

The exterior of the Apostolic Palace in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican with a large crowd in front — A crowd in front of the Apostolic Palace in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican in 2015.
Giampiero Sposito/Reuters

Pope Leo XIV watched the papal apartments get unsealed this weekend.
His predecessor didn't live in the traditional multi-room apartments at the Vatican.
It's unclear where the new pope will live, but photos show the chapel and other rooms.

After Pope Francis' death in April, the papal apartments inside the Apostolic Palace were sealed, a ritual that symbolizes the papal throne is empty and secures his personal papers.

On Sunday, those seals were removed, perhaps signaling the new pope is ready to move in.

The apartments haven't been occupied for over a decade. Pope Francis chose to live in a modest Vatican guest house instead. Pope Leo XIV may follow in his predecessor's footsteps or opt for the more traditional choice of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.

The building dates back to the 15th century and holds offices, museums, a library, and the Sistine Chapel.

Photos show the spacious papal apartments that Pope Leo XIV may call home.

Protocol dictates that the pope's rooms be sealed after his death. Vatican officials unsealed them on Sunday.

A man in a suit removes a red ribbon and seal from a door as Pope Leo XIV looks on — Pope Leo XIV watches as the Apostolic Palace is unsealed.
Vatican Media/Francesco Sforza/Handout via Reuters

It's not certain this means the new pope will live in these apartments or choose a more humble abode, as Pope Francis did.

The apartments are located on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Leo and two others walk through an elaborately decorated corridor — Pope Leo XIV walks in the corridor of the Third Loggia of the Apostolic Palace.
Francesco Sforza/Vatican Media/Vatican Pool/Getty Images

Mural maps cover the corridor leading to the apartments. The area is known as the Third Loggia.

Pope Leo visited what could be his new living quarters.

Pope Loe and others stand in a room with large chandeliers and a table and chairs — Pope Leo XIV visits the Apostolic Palace in 2025.
Vatican Media/Francesco Sforza/Handout via Reuters

The rooms are spacious, but some areas are not as lavishly decorated as some other parts of the Apostolic Palace.

The new pope also saw the apartment's private chapel.

Pope Leo XIV and several men in black and red stand in a chapel with a stained glass ceiling — Pope Leo XIV in his private chapel in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.
Francesco Sforza/Vatican Media via AP

In 2004, a photographer captured an image of Pope John Paul II praying for victims of the Madrid bombings in this room.

Popes have often met world leaders in the papal library.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis sit across from each other at a table in a room with gold and white wallpaper — Italy's President Sergio Mattarella speaks with Pope Francis in 2021.
Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters

Countless heads of state from Malta, Slovakia, Lebanon, the US, and many other countries have had audiences with the Holy See.

It's located on the second floor of the palace, the BBC reported in 2013.

In 2020, Pope Francis used the library for his general audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis stands alone in a room with bookshelves and an ornate ceiling — Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer at the library of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican in 2021.
Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters

These weekly events gave visitors a chance to see the pope.

About a dozen rooms make up the apartments.

A room with yellow walls, an ornate ceiling, and antique furniture — The apartments in the Apostolic Palace in 2007.
Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori via Getty Images

In addition to the library and chapel, there's a sitting room, study, bedroom, and medical clinic, according to Getty. They surround the Courtyard of Sixtus V.

In 2005, renovations updated the kitchen and clinic, Catholic News reported at the time.

It's traditional for the pope to live in the papal apartments.

A room with red wallpaper, statues, and ornate furniture — The Papal Apartments in the Apostolic Palace in 2007.
Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori via Getty Images

In 1903, Pope Pius X became the first pontiff to live in the apartments. Many were surprised by Pope Francis' choice to live in Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house, though it was in keeping with his reputation for humility.

Pope Leo seems to share similar views. Recently, he told Vatican News that 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."

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