Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff in history to travel by boat across Lake Albano on August 29, 2026, taking part in the historic Marian procession for the Feast of Our Lady of the Lake at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
The 400-year history of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo reached a quiet milestone as Pope Leo XIV crossed the volcanic crater lake aboard a vessel named the Falco. Surrounded by civilian boats, canoes, and law-enforcement craft, the Pope joined local faithful for an evening prayer service dedicated to peace marked by war, suffering and division.
A Historic Voyage Across Lake Albano
While previous pontiffs—including Pope Saint Paul VI and Pope Saint John Paul II—participated in the traditional Feast of Our Lady of the Lake, none had ever traveled across the waters of Lake Albano itself during the procession according to the Vatican.
The modern celebration began after Mass at the Church of Maria Santissima del Lago. The small church was consecrated by Pope Saint Paul VI on August 15, 1977, and later visited by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1979. Following the service, clergy and the faithful carried a statue of the Virgin Mary from the church to the lakeshore near the Tropicana beach resort .
The 25-minute boat journey carried the Pope and the statue across the roughly 2-square-mile body of water. Escorting the Falco were canoes paddled by young participants from local championships, dragon boats, and approximately ten civilian vessels alongside law-enforcement boats .
Community Roots and Safety Preparations
The Feast of Our Lady of the Lake is a deeply cherished local tradition, though its origins are comparatively modern. Established during the Marian Year of 1954 by parish priest Father Dino Sella, the celebration was designed to unite those who lived and worked around the lake.
Planning for the papal visit began a year prior, proposed by Father Tadeusz Rozmus, the parish priest of Saint Thomas of Villanova, in response to requests from local residents according to Castel Gandolfo Mayor Alberto De Angelis. The municipal administration, the Diocese of Albano, law-enforcement agencies, and the Castelli Romani Regional Park Authority coordinated security for the event.
Organizers adjusted some longstanding traditions to manage the crowds. Father Adriano Gibellini, liturgical director for the Diocese of Albano, noted that while faithful typically followed the procession by swimming in the lake, that has not been possible for safety reasons
during this year’s gathering at the Castel Gandolfo town hall.
Prayers for Peace and the Gift of Creation
Stepping ashore to applause, the Pope listened in silence alongside local authorities and mayors wearing Italian tricolor sashes. Tenor Aurelio Grimaldi and his wife, Elena Kovalova, performed musical selections accompanied on the piano by Maestro Massimiliano Franchina as the crowd gathered along the shore.
“To your loving protection, we entrust all the peoples of the earth: look with kindness upon your children wounded by war and encourage in everyone the desire for peace.”
Pope Leo XIV, via Vatican News
The pontiff also addressed leaders in public office, asking Mary to support those who have responsibility in public life, so that they may always promote justice, freedom, the dignity of every person and the common good
during his lakeshore prayer.
