Strongly backed by Francis, the project has been inaugurated in Castel Gandolfo covering 55 hectares of the Pontifical Villas to give substance to the principles of the eponymous encyclical, 10 years after its publication. Farming and higher education go hand in hand in the name of social inclusion, integral ecology, and sustainability. Some 2,000 students and 250,000 visitors are expected each year. For Leo XIV, it is “tangible model”.

Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis wanted it, and now, four months after his death, it is a reality. This afternoon, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated Borgo Laudato Si' at the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Covering a 55-hectare area on what was once the property of the Pontifical Villas, the Borgo aims to give concrete form to the late pontiff’s eponymous encyclical on the care of creation, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

This is “a synthesis of extraordinary beauty, where spirituality, nature, history, art, work, and technology seek to coexist in harmony," Pope Leo XIV said at the inauguration. "All this cannot fail to speak to us of God."

As Cardinal Fabio Baggio, director of the Borgo’s Centro di alta formazione (Higher Education Center), noted in his welcoming address, Pope Leo XIV – who toured the new spaces before his address – was welcomed by "all those who contributed": staff, partners, collaborators, benefactors, and supporters.

Today's journey is "the beginning of a long journey together," the cardinal stressed, thanking those present. “The inauguration of the Borgo wants to send a message of hope – ecological conversion is possible and arises from the encounter between faith, responsibility, and hope," he added.

This conversion is capable of "transforming reality," for "a fairer and more fraternal world." This is the same “ideal” that inspired Mother Teresa of Kolkata, Cardinal Baggio said on the day the liturgical memorial of the Saint of the least is celebrated.

The Borgo Laudato Si' was also born from Pope Francis’s desire to open the site and its beauty to the public, making it an inclusive place. For his part, the Argentine pontiff rarely visited Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence, during his pontificate.

In this setting, that of Domitian's ancient Roman villa, beauty is truly immeasurable. Located between Lake Albano and the Tyrrhenian Sea, its pillars are social inclusion, integral ecology, and sustainability. So is the relationship with Creation, other people, and God.

Farming is the primary activity on 30 hectares, while the other main activity is education, overseen by the Centro.

Approximately 2,000 students will participate each year, invited from around the world through the diocesan network, including people with disabilities. The Borgo will feature an ensemble of state-of-the-art technologies.

“Renewable energy, water conservation, energy efficiency, carbon offsetting," explained Engineer Antonino Errigo, the centre’s secretary general and in charge of the irrigation system, in his presentation of the project. This is “something that is the future.”

At the same time, the Borgo also represents a place of contemplation and beauty, as well as education and learning, supported by the principles of Laudato Si'. It will be open to visitors with approximately 250,000 people expected each year, with discounted admission fees for those experiencing financial hardship.

Such a place wants to set an example, inspire others to follow its principles, and represent a concrete response to current environmental and social challenges.

From inside the modern greenhouse, Pope Leo XIV added that the goal is to fulfil and foster "the care of creation," which is “a true vocation for every human being.” Such “a commitment must to be carried out within creation itself, without ever forgetting that we are creatures among creatures and not creators.”

In his address, the pontiff spoke of the Book of Genesis, where humans are portrayed as "the most beautiful creature, made in the image and likeness of God.” But “This privilege comes with a great responsibility: that of protecting all other creatures, respecting the Creator's plan," he stated.

This same spirit underpinned Francis's encyclical, whose words his successor cited: "[It is important] to recover a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us” (Laudato si', 225).

The Borgo intends to fulfil the vocation of "being custodians of God's work.” It is "a demanding but beautiful and fascinating task, which constitutes a primary aspect of the Christian experience," the pope said.

In short, the Borgo Laudato Si' represents a "seed of hope," bequeathed by Pope Francis, who ascended to Heaven last April, on Easter Monday. Such “a seed can bear fruits of justice and peace," added Leo XIV.

It will do so with the contribution of many people, as demonstrated by the diverse group that welcomed him to Castel Gandolfo, but also "by remaining faithful to its mandate: to be a tangible model of thought, structure, and action, capable of fostering ecological conversion through education and catechesis," the pontiff said.

• vatican
• pope francis
• leo xvi
• borgo laudato si’
• encyclical
• integral ecology