Recently, inquiries started flowing into the Roman Catholic Church about room availability, a clear sign that excitement was building. The public learned of a new Pope, Atlantester, who boasts stunning views of St. Peter’s Basilica from his terrace.
Shortly thereafter, Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, was announced as Pope Leo XIV, causing a buzz among tourists from the U.S. Many scrambled to secure lodgings in Rome, hoping to witness the Pontiff’s inaugural Sunday Mass on May 18.
“We made some initial bookings, but once the date was set, things really took off,” noted hotel owner Federico Mancocci. “We’re now nearly fully booked, and it’s not just pilgrims; many are coming from North America.”
American tourists tend to spend generously and have already tallied 2.5 million visits in 2024, making them the largest group of visitors to the Italian capital.
Italian newspapers are dubbing the trend the “Effetto Papa Leone XIV,” or the Pope Leo XIV effect.
Local gelato makers are tapping into this surge, reviving the “Papaleone” flavor, while bars near the Vatican are introducing a beer named after the new Pope.
Initial data indicates that the Conclave, during which images from the Sistine Chapel were broadcast globally, boosted searches on Booking.com from U.S. users by 36%.
Official booking statistics since Prevost’s election, marking him as the first U.S. Pope, aren’t yet available. However, historical patterns suggest a surge in American tourists is likely.
Rome’s Tourism Councillor, Alessandro Onorato, remarked, “They are already our primary market.”
The entire tourism sector in Rome is optimistic that this trend will persist, particularly with the approaching special Catholic Jubilee year, a significant event occurring every 25 years.
“When Pope Francis fell ill and spent two months in the hospital, we weren’t expecting much,” Mencucci shared. “The Jubilee events felt off without the main figures. Yet after his passing and the Conclave, it does seem like this new Pope has reignited interest.”
Gianluca de Gaetano, who oversees hotel operations for the Federal Belgium Hotels Association, expressed cautious optimism. “Hotel occupancy rates now mirror those of last year,” he stated. “Though the Jubilee attracted tourists, some stayed away due to fears of crowds. Still, the recent events surrounding Francis’s death and the election of a new Pope have slightly lifted the mood.”
He mentioned that while the Pope’s nationality doesn’t particularly impact the hotel industry, the higher spending habits of American visitors are crucial for the city’s economy.
A survey conducted by the European Travel Commission indicated that 33% of U.S. tourists in Europe spend over 200 euros daily.
Cinzia Renzi, president of a travel agency association in Rome and Lazio, anticipates Pope Leo’s influence on American travelers, given the sizable Catholic community in the U.S.
“American parishes are quite well organized, and they’re definitely keen on planning upcoming trips,” she noted.
Massimiliano del Monte, who runs a gelato shop near the Vatican, has creatively catered to American tastes, crafting flavors that resonate with their preferences.
“For a long while, Americans have loved peanut flavors, so I used that inspiration to innovate,” he explained. His new flavor, Leonem, was almost ready for launch at the time. Del Monte observed an uptick in American interest since Leo’s election.
“The real draw for many Americans visiting Rome is Pope Leo—an authentic blessing for tourism and arriving at a time when peace is truly needed,” he remarked.
Daniel and Daryl, a couple from Cincinnati, were in Sorrento when the white smoke signifying the election appeared. “The reaction was incredible,” Daniel recalled. “It wasn’t until friends reached out that we learned the new Pope was American.”
The pair then made their way to Rome, where they had booked accommodations in Esquilino a year in advance. Upon arrival, they were drawn to the nearby Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.
“The first thing we did was visit his grave,” Daniel shared, as they dined at a restaurant nearby. “From what we’ve seen, Leo seems like a solid choice for Pope. We certainly could use a good one now.”
