In the heart of the Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo, just an hour from Rome, the Borgo Laudato Si’ is taking shape—a project strongly supported by Pope Francis to give concrete form to the principles of integral ecology outlined in his encyclical. Here vegetables are grown, and olive oil, honey, and cheeses are produced using sustainable methods. Plastics are banned, renewable energy comes from solar panels, and every scrap is recycled or turned into compost across the site’s 55 hectares of green space.

The Borgo is designed not only as a laboratory of good environmental practices but also as a hub for learning and exchange, open to schools, universities, business leaders, and diocesan communities. Pilot courses have already begun in recent months.

Adding to the uniqueness of the project will be its cuisine. In spring 2026, a new restaurant run by celebrated Chicago chefs Art Smith and Phil Stefani will open. Chicago is the birthplace of Pope Leo XIV, to whom the venture pays tribute. The restaurant—whose name remains under wraps—will offer Italian farm-to-table dishes enriched with international touches inspired by the flavors of Chicago and Peru, a nod to the Pope’s roots.