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(ANS – Castel Gandolfo) — Pope Leo presided over Holy Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.

Concelebrating with Leo XIV were Vincenzo Viva, Bishop of Albano; Archbishop Petar Rajič, Prefect of the Papal Household; the parish pastor, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus; the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Fabio Attard; the Salesian Procurator General, Fr. Pierfausto Frisoli; and several invited guests.

In his homily, Leo XIV emphasized that we can also encounter the beauty of the Assumption in the eyes of parents returning home to their children, grandparents caring for their grandchildren, the steadfast commitment of young people, and the work of men and women who bring “a little bit of Heaven to earth and the earth toward Heaven.”

The Beautiful Face of the Assumption

Pope Leo XIV spoke of the “beautiful face of the Assumption” in his homily during the Mass at the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, where he had been spending a second period of rest since the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Two thousand faithful were present, most of whom had gathered in Piazza della Libertà, in front of the church, from the early morning hours to await the Pontiff’s arrival and listen to his words through a giant screen and sound system set up in the area outside the small church. The remaining approximately 250 people were seated in the pews of the 17th-century collegiate church, which had been filled since the morning.

A Gift From the Holy Father

At the end of Mass, some of those present were able to greet the Holy Father during the traditional greeting known as the “kissing of the hand.” Afterwards, Pope Leo presented the parish with a chalice, which was given to the parish pastor.

Another Mass With the Pope at the End of August

In an interview with ANS, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus stated that the parish had the joy of officially hosting the Holy Father for the third time. He presided over the Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption, attended by many dignitaries — laypeople, civil authorities and religious figures — as well as Salesians representing various parts of the world.

Fr. Rozmus noted that the Pope will return once more — for the fourth time and the second time this year — to the Pontifical Parish of Castel Gandolfo. He will return for the patronal feast in honor of Our Lady of the Lake on Aug. 29, when they will once again have the opportunity, first and foremost, to honor Our Lady and then to take part together in a procession in her honor on the waters of Lake Albano.

“Long live the Pope!” The parish pastor thanked the Pope for all these opportunities for goodness and holiness that he offers the community.

Compiled using information from Vatican News.