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Historic Partnership Brings Chicago Spirit to the Vatican's Borgo Laudato Si'

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Chicago restaurateur Phil Stefani and celebrity chef Art Smith are teaming up to create a unique dining experience at the Vatican's Borgo Laudato Si', a historic papal retreat. As part of the effort, Pope Leo XIV will make a live announcement today, marking the inauguration of the property and its immediate opening to the public. The collaboration, made possible with the support of Mary Kay Bonoma from the Illinois Restaurant Association, will bring a taste of Chicago to a global audience and highlight the Vatican's commitment to sustainability and ecological awareness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Phil Stefani and Chef Art Smith are partnering to create the only dining destination at the Vatican's Borgo Laudato Si', which will serve farm-to-table Italian cuisine with global influences, including Chicago and Peruvian flavors.
  • The Borgo Laudato Si' is a 135-acre estate located in the historic Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo, with nearly 2,000 years of history spanning Roman imperial times to papal tradition.
  • The estate is a model of integral ecology, inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' in 2015, and features a greenhouse powered by solar energy and zero-waste systems.
  • The restaurant will be open for breakfast and lunch when the grounds are open to the public and will also be available for private events year-round.
  • The property will also offer vocational training in organic farming, winemaking, olive harvesting, and regenerative agriculture, with special programs for vulnerable groups and courses for business leaders and pilgrims.

Statistics:

  • 135 acres: The total area of the Borgo Laudato Si' estate.
  • 55 hectares: The total area of the Borgo Laudato Si' estate in hectares.
  • 2015: The year Pope Francis released the encyclical Laudato Si', which inspired the estate's integral ecology vision.
  • 1,000 years: The approximate time period spanning Roman imperial times to papal tradition at the Borgo Laudato Si' estate.
  • 50+ hectares: The area of gardens, farmland, and archaeological heritage within the Borgo Laudato Si' estate.

Sources:

  • [Vatican News EWTN: Pope Leo XIV to Inaugurate Borgo Laudato Si' with Historic Partnership]
  • [Stefani Restaurant Group Press Release: Phil Stefani and Chef Art Smith Partner to Bring Chicago Spirit to Vatican's Borgo Laudato Si']
  • [Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato Si' (2015)]
  • [The Borgo Laudato Si' Website: About Us]

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