The local diocese of Castel Gandolfo is organizing a late-evening concert for the Holy Father this weekend, featuring well-known pianist, violinist.
Pope Leo XIV will attend a concert performed by various renowned musicians in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo on July 18, 2026. The local Diocese of Albano, which is organizing the event in honor of the Pontiff, announced the event this week. The Pope has been staying at his summer residence since July 5 to take some time to rest.
The local bishop, Vincenzo Viva, stated that this initiative is motivated by the “joy” brought about by the Pope’s return to the Diocese of Albano. “We wish to offer this symphonic concert as a gesture of affection and communion,” he said, as Pope Leo XIV spends his summer holidays in this area south-east of Rome for the second time.
The concert will take place on Saturday at 9.00 pm in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. Several renowned musicians will be performing. Pianist Rossana Tomassi Golkar will play an excerpt from Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma, rewritten especially for her by the Oscar-winning composer Luis Bacalov. Images will be projected to accompany this performance, according to the press release from the Diocese of Albano.
Violinist Marco Rogliano will also perform a piece composed by the virtuoso Niccolò Paganini. These two soloists will be accompanied by the 55-strong orchestra I Musici di Parma. They will be conducted by Pier Carlo Orizio.
Summer concerts of this kind at Castel Gandolfo were a regular feature during the pontificate of Benedict XVI, who would spend time at the popes’ summer residence every year. Benedict was a great lover of music and himself a pianist.
Pope Leo is due to stay at Castel Gandolfo until July 27. Before his arrival in this village, situated some 20 miles from the Vatican, the Successor to St. Peter had said he hoped to spend this time with “a little rest, a lot of reading, reflection, preparation for what comes next.”
