Why does the Pope reside at the Vatican?

The first Pope was St. Peter. For a while he lived in Jerusalem, but then he moved to Rome to evangelize there and to help guide and strengthen the Christians of Rome. His successors became the Bishops of Rome. read more

After the 1929 Lateran treaty with Italy, the Vatican City State became the last place where the popes hold secular jurisdiction, so it makes sense they would live there. St. Peter's Basilica is NOT the official church of the pope. Nor is it a cathedral. It is a major pilgrimage shrine built over the tomb of St. Peter. read more

Pope Francis has been there since his election March 13, taking his meals in the common dining room downstairs and celebrating a 7 a.m. Mass with Vatican employees in the main chapel of the residence. read more

Actually, the Pope does NOT live in Rome. He lives in the Vatican, which is not even Italy. He IS the Bishop of Rome, and in that capacity, his church is the Basilica of John Lateran, not Saint Peters. read more