Pope Leo XIV teams up with local restaurant legends for new restaurant concept in Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Two local restaurant legends are teaming up with Pope Leo XIV to bring their artful dishes to the Vatican’s new ecology project in Italy.

Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican announced Friday that they are teaming up with Chicago chef Art Smith and Chicago restaurateur Phil Stefani for a new restaurant concept that will open in the heart of the Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

The Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’ is a new Vatican-run ecological training center that sits on about 135 acres in the Italian countryside, on the grounds of the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo.

The project was first announced by Pope Francis in 2023 and looks to carry on his ecological legacy.

Pope Leo’s announcement came during a larger inauguration of the property on Friday morning.

The new restaurant will be the only dining destination in Borgo Laudato Si’ and will also serve as the site’s exclusive caterer.

Officials said the new restaurant was brought to life with the support of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

Once fully up and running, the Borgo Laudato Si’ will be open to the public.

In a sneak peek to the Associated Press, officials showed off some of the project’s most notable aspects.