Hidden high above St. Peter’s Square, the Pope’s private apartments in Vatican City are among the most secretive living spaces in the world. For centuries, these rooms have quietly witnessed Renaissance intrigue, papal deaths, modern medical emergencies, and even long periods of abandonment. Though they appear serene from the outside, the papal apartments are full of surprising, sometimes bizarre details that reveal just how old—and human—this extraordinary residence really is.

Here are 15 weird and fascinating facts you probably didn’t know about the Pope’s private quarters.

1. They Ran on Obsolete 125-Volt Outlets Until 2005

When Pope Benedict XVI moved into the papal apartments in 2005, renovation crews discovered that the entire electrical system was still running on 125-volt outlets—a standard Italy had abandoned decades earlier in favor of 220 volts. The apartments hadn’t seen a major electrical overhaul since the 1960s. Over time, the wiring had merely been patched rather than replaced, leaving the Pope’s residence stuck in an electrical time warp. To accommodate modern appliances, computers, and security systems, the Vatican had to gut the entire system and rebuild it from scratch during a three-month renovation.

2. Barrels in the Ceiling Collected Rainwater

During that same renovation, workers uncovered a shocking improvisation hidden above the false ceiling: large drums placed throughout the space to catch rainwater leaking from the aging roof. Some were nearly full. Rather than fixing the roof properly, earlier maintenance crews had simply managed the leaks by collecting the water before it dripped into the living quarters below. Multiple popes unknowingly lived beneath barrels of stagnant rainwater until the system was finally removed and the roof properly waterproofed.

3. The Doors Are Sealed with Red Ribbon and Wax When a Pope Dies

Upon a pope’s death, the papal apartments are sealed in an ancient ritual performed by the Camerlengo, the Vatican’s chamberlain. Instead of modern locks, red ribbon and melted wax stamped with the pope’s official seal are used to close the doors. This centuries-old practice prevents looting, protects sensitive documents, and makes any unauthorized entry immediately obvious. The apartments remain sealed throughout the conclave and are only reopened after a new pope is elected.

4. One Pope Moved in with a 20,000-Book Library

Pope Benedict XVI brought with him a personal library of roughly 20,000 books—an extraordinary scholarly collection accumulated over decades as a theologian. Custom shelving had to be built to support the weight, and Benedict insisted that every book be arranged in exactly the same order as in his previous residence. Vatican staff carefully mapped and recreated the precise layout so he could continue his academic work without disruption.

5. There’s a Fully Equipped Emergency Medical Suite Inside

The papal apartments contain a medical facility capable of handling emergency surgery. It was installed during the final years of Pope John Paul II, whose declining health made hospital trips risky. The suite includes diagnostic equipment, life-support systems, and space for doctors to operate. After John Paul II’s death, the Vatican expanded the facility, recognizing that popes are often elected at advanced ages and may require immediate medical care.

6. The Plumbing Was Choked with Rust and Lime

Rome’s mineral-rich water slowly filled the apartment’s old pipes with rust and lime deposits. By 2005, water flow was restricted, pressure was uneven, and corrosion threatened ruptures. Renovators determined the plumbing was beyond repair and replaced the entire system. For decades, popes had unknowingly lived with severely deteriorated infrastructure hidden behind the walls.

7. Three Popes Died in These Rooms

The papal apartments have served as deathbeds for three modern popes:

Pope John XXIII (1963), who died of stomach cancer

Pope John Paul I (1978), whose sudden death after just 33 days in office shocked the world

Pope John Paul II (2005), who died after a long illness while tens of thousands prayed below in St. Peter’s Square

Only two of the last six popes died elsewhere.

8. The Tradition Began Only in 1903

Popes have ruled for nearly 2,000 years, but the tradition of living in these specific apartments began only in 1903 with Pope Pius X. He chose the third-floor rooms of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, establishing them as the official papal residence. Eleven successive popes followed this tradition—until Pope Francis broke it in 2013.

9. Earlier Papal Apartments Were Sealed for 386 Years

Before the modern papal apartments, popes lived in the lavish Borgia Apartments. After the death of the controversial Pope Alexander VI in 1503, his successor Julius II despised the Borgia legacy so deeply that he sealed the rooms shut. They remained closed for nearly four centuries, only reopened in 1889. Inside, Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio had been perfectly preserved in darkness.

10. A Third Light Signals a Pope’s Death

When Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, tens of thousands of people watched the lit windows of the papal apartments. At the moment of death, a third light was switched on—a silent, prearranged signal that needed no announcement. The crowd instantly understood. Church bells rang, and St. Peter’s Square fell into prayer.

11. Frescoes Hide the Earliest Images of Native Americans

Restoration work in the Borgia Apartments revealed something extraordinary: what may be the earliest European depictions of Native Americans. Painted around 1494—just two years after Columbus returned—these figures show how rapidly news of the New World reached the papal court. They had been hiding in plain sight for over 500 years.

12. Pope Francis Left the Apartments Empty for 12 Years

After his election in 2013, Pope Francis refused to move into the papal apartments, calling them too large and isolating. Instead, he lived in a modest guesthouse. The apartments remained sealed and unused for 12 years, developing water damage and structural issues despite ongoing maintenance. They were finally reopened after his pontificate ended.

13. Renaissance Marble Floors Lay Hidden Under Grime

During renovations, experts uncovered original 16th-century marble floors beneath layers of dirt, wear, and later modifications. Carefully restored, the intricate inlay work revealed vibrant colors and craftsmanship unseen for generations. The same floors still support daily life in the apartments today.

14. The First Pope with “Flatmates”

Elected in 2025, Pope Leo XIV announced plans to share the papal apartments with several Augustinian friars, reflecting his monastic background. While popes have always had staff, none have shared their private residence this way in modern history. The decision transforms the apartments from a solitary residence into a communal home.

15. The Kitchen Was Donated by a German Company

During the 2005 renovation, a German manufacturer donated a fully modern kitchen—ovens, ranges, and appliances—at no cost. In exchange, the company gained the prestige of outfitting one of the world’s most famous homes. It’s a reminder that even the Pope needs a functional kitchen.