Angelus Sundays — guide to the 2026 calendar.

After twelve years of silence, the balcony of the Apostolic Palace has returned to its most ancient sound: the noon bell, the crowd falling silent, the Pope's voice reciting in Latin the Angelus Domini. Here is the 2026 calendar of summer Sundays, with times, access and practical advice for those who want to be there.

The rhythm of the summer stay

Pope Leo XIV arrived at Castel Gandolfo on 5 July 2026 for the first of the two summer rest periods set by the Prefecture of the Papal Household ([press.vatican.va](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/07/05/260705b.html)). The first stay ended on 27 July; the second covers the Solemnity of the Assumption on 15 August and closes on 17 August with the definitive return to the Vatican.

During the residency, all private and general audiences are suspended. Ordinary activity, including Wednesday general audiences, resumed on 5 August in the Vatican. Public appearances of the Pope in the village are therefore concentrated on a few appointments set well in advance by the Prefecture.

The 2026 calendar

The Angelus recitations from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace took place on the three Sundays of July — 12, 19 and 26 July — always at 12:00 in Piazza della Libertà, as confirmed by the [Diocese of Albano](https://www.diocesidialbano.it/visita-di-papa-leone-xiv-ad-albano/) and the [Municipality of Castel Gandolfo](https://www.comune.castelgandolfo.rm.it/it/news/gli-angelus-di-papa-leone-xiv-a-castel-gandolfo). At the first appointment on 12 July, about 2,500 people gathered, with the Pontiff coming out in the popemobile at 11:30 to greet the crowd before the official address ([Il Messaggero](https://www.ilmessaggero.it/roma/metropoli/papa_leone_vacanze_castel_gandolfo_programma_messe_saluto_sindaci-9647064.html)).

For the second half of the summer, two public appointments still lie ahead:

• Saturday 15 August, 10:00 — Solemnity of the Assumption: Mass at the Pontifical Parish Church of St Thomas of Villanova, followed by the Angelus in Piazza della Libertà.
• Saturday 29 August, 18:00 — Mass at the Church of Maria Santissima del Lago, followed by a procession. A rare event, with the small church on the crater's shore hosting a papal liturgy.

The definitive return to the Vatican is scheduled for Monday 17 August, after the Marian recitation of the previous day.

How to reach the square

Access to Piazza della Libertà is free, but passes through security checkpoints with metal detectors. The Municipality advises arriving at least one hour early: the square closes when it reaches maximum capacity, and latecomers remain outside the cordons. On days of large turnout — as 15 August is likely to be — queues at the checkpoints start forming in the early morning hours.

Those arriving by train alight at Castel Gandolfo on the FL4 Rome-Albano Laziale line, from Termini or Roma Tuscolana stations. The historic village is about fifteen minutes on foot uphill from the station, or five minutes by the municipal shuttle. Those arriving by car find paid parking along via Bruno Buozzi and in the parking areas below the centre: traffic is closed in the entire historic centre from 8 in the morning on Sundays with the Angelus.

What to bring, what to expect

The square is paved with cobblestones and has little shade. In summer you need a hat, a water bottle (checks allow sealed bottles up to half a litre), comfortable shoes. Open umbrellas and large backpacks are not permitted. Those who want to broadcast the audio of the address to relatives can bring a small Bluetooth speaker: local radios also broadcast the live transmission over the air.

The Pope appears at the balcony shortly before noon. The recitation generally lasts between twenty and thirty minutes: address on the day's Gospel, appeals for peace and current affairs, Marian prayer, blessing. After the blessing, the Pontiff lingers for a few minutes greeting the crowd. On some occasions he has driven briefly through the square in the popemobile, but this is not the rule.