Passing through the "Room of Tears," Leo XIV didn't think twice and chose to wear all the liturgical pieces that were rejected in the past by Francis: the red cape or papal mozzetta, the gold-embroidered stole, the surplice, and a new gold cross. Despite his friendly tone and exhortations for peace, the image projected by the American pontiff was very different from the austerity that distinguished his predecessor and has sparked discussions about a possible return to papal ostentation.
For getting around Rome, even when returning from Gemelli hospital after his last recovery, Francisco used a modest white Fiat 500. On his first outing from the Vatican on Friday, León XIV got into a flashy black SUV, very similar to the ones used by world leaders to showcase their power during their travels.
Even the electric Popemobile, traditionally manufactured by Mercedes, bears the ecological imprint of Francisco (who expressed his wish for it to be converted into a mobile health unit to assist children in Gaza after his death). Its final destination has not yet been confirmed, but it is possible that León XIV will end up using a different one tailored to his needs.
In his 12 years of Papacy, Francisco renounced the luxuries of the Apostolic Palace and stayed in a discreet room at the Casa Santa Marta, the same place where the cardinals stayed during the conclave. Robert Prevost has decided for now to continue living in the apartment he has occupied in the Palace of the Holy Office for the past two years, when he was appointed prefect of the Department of Bishops.
Everything points, however, to León XIV using the Apostolic Palace as his residence, as all Popes did before Francisco, as anticipated by RAI. Pending official confirmation, the move would be completed once the renovation works of the gigantic building, with over 1,000 rooms, housing the Sistine Chapel and projecting all the symbolic power of the Vatican, are finished.
Returning to the Apostolic Palace could be interpreted as a return to papal ostentation after the period of austerity imposed by Francisco (who, by the way, cut the cardinals' salaries by 10%). It would also be a gesture from León XIV to the conservative wing of the cardinals who facilitated his rise in the conclave and a definitive sign of a break in style compared to his predecessor.
Another tradition that Francisco broke was the papal vacations at Castel Gandolfo. Unlike John Paul II, who renamed it "Vatican Two" and built a swimming pool, or Benedict XVI, who created an ecological farm with cows, chickens, and beehives, Francisco decided to turn the papal residence into a museum and endure the summer heat within the Vatican walls.
As another gesture of reclaiming papal traditions, León XIV could once again use the pontifical palace (or suburbano recesso) during summers, 25 kilometers from Rome, purchased by the Apostolic Chamber in 1596, incorporated as an inalienable asset of the Holy See, and used by almost all Popes for their vacations since Urban VIII.