Are you in need of some hope? What can it look like? Once again we turn to Pope Francis and Laudato Sí. “Hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems.” #61
Pope Francis has consistently called for an “ecological conversion” — the “transformation of hearts and minds toward greater love of God, each other, and creation.” For Francis, this is more than words. A concrete response is The Borgo Laudato Sí (“Laudato Sí Village”) Project. Completed for the 2025 Jubilee in Castel Gandolfo, it will allow all to participate in an immersive experience of "ecological conversion."
The Borgo Laudato Sí Project combines sustainable agriculture with environmentally friendly teaching programs. Its three pillars of sustainability, a circular economy and integral human ecology places the human being at the center and in connection with the environment.
The aim of the Borgo is to become self-sustainable using solar panels and to achieve zero water waste. Containers will be used to collect rainwater and the plumbing of the garden’s many fountains will be restructured to recycle water. All intra-garden transportation will be electric. Plastic is banned.
The Borgo will inaugurate its farm and agriculture projects in February 2025. It plans to develop a circular economy model based on sharing, reuse, repair, reconditioning and recycling — an energy community based on renewable sources, wasting nothing. In addition, they will not use pesticides. Olive oil will be made from the 1,000 olive trees of the Borgo, and the garden will produce its own honey and tea. The cow farm is set to become an interactive experience for visitors, producing organic milk, cheese and ice cream.
As visitors walk through the garden, they will encounter 30 signs, each with one word — such as "water," "silence," "tree" — followed by a spiritual and environmental reflection, highlighting both the botanical and spiritual significance of the 3,000 plants in the garden. A large greenhouse will feature symbolic and ancient plants. The Borgo will host teaching projects for groups wanting to learn about the pope’s ecological vision, giving importance to accessibility for even the most vulnerable.
Vocational training courses will be launched, initially in the areas of green maintenance, pruning, gardening, arboriculture. The training courses will be addressed in particular to the vulnerable: migrants, refugees, unaccompanied minors, women survivors of violence, unemployed young people and adults, differently abled people and ex-detainees. All vocational training courses will involve placement in the world of work and personal accompaniment during the first year of employment.
Twenty people from these marginalized groups have already gone through the formation process; ten have found stable employment. Students and children will be invited to participate in age-appropriate summer schools, educational events and activities, all focused on integral ecology. For young university students, summer schools, training courses and study days on the themes of Laudato Sí will be planned to raise environmental awareness.
The Borgo will host cultural and artistic events. Courses, seminars and retreats will be offered to entrepreneurs and business technicians, with a view to applying the principles of Laudato Sí in their business contexts.
This may well be what HOPE looks like. “All it takes is one good person to restore hope!” #71
Sources: Pope launches ‘Borgo Laudato Sí’ Project in Castel Gandolfo
Laudato Sí Center for Higher Education: a year of commitment to ecological change
Pope Francis’ eco-village to promote ecological conversion at 2025 Jubilee
Suggested actions:
- Take one action from the Borgo and implement it in your own environment, at home or at work.
- Add to your Bucket List a trip to the “Laudato Sí Village” to participate in this immersive experience of "ecological conversion." Make it happen!
