VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV spent several hours May 29 visiting the Borgo Laudato Si’ ecology project set up at the papal villa and farm in Castel Gandolfo, as well as the former papal summer residence there.

Pope Francis established the project in early 2023, saying he wanted “to make a tangible contribution to the development of ecological education by opening a new space for training and raising awareness,” according to the Vatican City governor’s office.

The project offers tours of the formal gardens to tourists and school groups but also is set up to train gardeners and maintenance workers.

Pope Francis also turned the papal palace on the town’s main square into a museum, which opened in 2016. Many of the townspeople hope the new pope will once again spend at least part of th

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