Pope Leo XIV took part in an historic boat procession on Aug. 29, becoming what the Vatican said was the first pope to travel across the waters of Lake Albano at Castel Gandolfo during a procession for the Feast of Our Lady of the Lake.
The town of Castel Gandolfo has been home to the papal summer residence since the early 17th century. The papal palace there overlooks Lake Albano, a roughly 2-square-mile lake in a volcanic crater.
The pope traveled by boat across the lake after Mass at the Church of Maria Santissima del Lago. The papal procession was accompanied by a statue of Our Lady of the Lake.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Maria Santissima del Lago, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo later took part in a Marian procession on nearby Lake Albano, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsPope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Maria Santissima del Lago, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo later took part in a Marian procession on nearby Lake Albano, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsA pilgrim waves a flag welcoming Pope Leo XIV to Lake Albano at Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsPilgrims gather at Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Pope Leo XIV took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsPope Leo XIV travels across Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsPope Leo XIV travels across Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsPope Leo XIV travels across Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsPope Leo XIV greets pilgrims at Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 29, 2026. Leo took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN NewsThe papal palace in Castel Gandolfo is seen from Lake Albano, Aug. 29, 2026. Pope Leo XIV took part in a Marian procession on the lake, becoming the first pope to travel by boat across the waters there according to the Vatican. | Credit: Zofia Czubak/EWTN News
