Castel Gandolfo: Pope Leo XIV on Friday inaugurated the Borgo Laudato si’ at Castel Gandolfo, describing the new ecological village as a “seed of hope” and a tangible model of ecological conversion that unites spirituality, innovation, and sustainability.
The project, envisioned by Pope Francis and now brought to life under Pope Leo XIV, is a bold experiment that combines prayer, education, history, agriculture, art, and environmental stewardship. The Pontiff called it a “living laboratory” where the Church’s call to care for creation is made visible through concrete action.
Upon arrival, the Pope was greeted by families, volunteers, and workers who care for the village and its many gardens. Strolling down the tree-lined paths, he emphasized the spirit of “welcome,” which he said lies at the heart of both ecological care and human dignity.
Continuing his tour in an electric cart symbolizing sustainable mobility Pope Leo XIV paused at the Little Madonna Garden, where he had earlier celebrated the first Mass with the new liturgy dedicated to the Custody of Creation. Calling it a “natural cathedral,” he again urged reflection on lifestyles and choices that impact the planet.
The Pope met with workers tending to the Borgo’s land, thanking them for cultivating over 3,000 plant species. He also paused at a pond filled with koi fish and water lilies, highlighting the joy of encountering God in nature. At the biodynamic vineyard, he blessed farm animals and admired the horses, underscoring that integral ecology means care for both people and the environment.
The day’s culmination took place in the newly built greenhouse, a multifunctional, net-zero energy facility that now serves as the hub of Borgo Laudato si’. There, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Liturgy of the Word and a blessing rite, accompanied by music from tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo.
In his homily, the Pope drew from the Gospel of Matthew, reminding the faithful of Christ’s call to “look at the birds of the sky” and “observe the lilies of the field.” Every creature, he said, reflects divine goodness. “Care for creation is truly a vocation for every human being. We are creatures among creatures, entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard what the Creator has given us,” he affirmed.
Pope Leo XIV hailed the Borgo as a model of harmony, where spirituality, technology, and daily life coexist. “It is a place of closeness and conviviality, a seed capable of bearing fruits of justice and peace,” he said.
The liturgy concluded with a prayer for creation, asking God to instill gratitude, inspire leaders to pursue the common good, and strengthen humanity’s resolve to protect life in all its forms.
With the inauguration of Borgo Laudato si’, the Pope signaled not only a continuation of Pope Francis’ ecological vision but also a renewed call to make care for creation a shared mission of faith, hope, and responsibility.