When walking around Rome one finds no shortage of gelaterias, the artisanal gelato shops that are one of the most iconic features of Italian street life. But near St, Peter's Square, in Via San Gregorio VII 38, there is one gelateria that has been making headlines for having a special customer: Pope Francis.
Founded by Sebastián Padrón, an Argentinian man from the city of La Plata, Padrón Gelateria focuses on traditional Argentinian flavors made artisanally, without any additives.
As reported by Rome Reports, since its opening the gelateria has served several priests and Vatican employees and eventually served the Pope himself.
La Difesa Del Popolo explains that Padrón was looking for a church for the baptism of his second son, Luca, and asked guidance from a Vatican priest, Don Mario, who helped the family organize the baptism. On that occasion, the Argentinian gelato-maker asked Don Mario if he could bring some of his hand-made gelato to the Pope. A few months later, the family received a handwritten thank you note, a certificate of endorsement, and a medal emblazoned with the Madonna.
According to Padrón, Pope Francis particularly enjoyed dulce de leche, the classic Argentinian gelato flavor made with caramelized milk. As explained by Padrón to La Difesa Del Popollo, his dulce de leche gelato is made with real dulce de leche, imported directly from Argentina.
During the pandemic, Padrón started selling empanadas too (a classic Argentinean dish of bread wrapped around a variety of different stuffings, from sweet to savory). These were also reportedly appreciated by the Pope.
In October 2023, Sebastián Padrón and his family were invited to the Vatican, where the Pope greeted Sebastián, his wife, and two children and thanked the Argentinian family for making him feel “at home” while living in Rome.
