Laudato si' Centre for Higher Education: A Jubilee year of commitment

By Vatican News

On 2 February 2023, Pope Francis established the Laudato si' Centre for Higher Education (CeAF-LS), a scientific, educational, and social activity body charged with offering a formation of the integral person and in respect of the principles of the Encyclical Laudato si', with particular regard to young people and those living in vulnerable conditions (cf. Statute, Art. 1).

In fulfilment of this task, as indicated by the chirograph of 2 February 2023, in its first year of existence, the CeAF-LS undertook to develop the project "Borgo Laudato si'" with the aim of making the principles set out in the Holy Father's 2015 Encyclical on the environment Laudato si' applicable, taken up even more explicitly in the Pope's Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, published in October.

Project's three main guidelines

The CeAF-LS, assisted by top-level national and international experts, outlined first of all the three main guidelines of the "Borgo Laudato si'" project: education in integral ecology, the circular and generative economy, and environmental sustainability.

The project covers 55 hectares of extraterritorial area at Castel Gandolfo, divided into 35 hectares of beautiful gardens and 20 hectares of agricultural and livestock land, greenhouses, and service buildings.

The actual takeover of the entire perimeter by CeAF-LS took place on 15 January 2024, and the staff previously employed on the 55 hectares were transferred to CeAF-LS. Work was carried out in cooperation and dialogue with the Governorate of the State of Vatican City State and with the Directorates concerned.

Two major phases

The implementation of this first project is planned in two major phases.

The first phase concerns the garden area, and the second, the agricultural and zootechnical area.

As far as the first phase is concerned, the project is built on the wonderful natural, historical, artistic heritage of the Papal Villas, 35 hectares of beauty.

The activities, which have already been started in recent days, primarily concern the conservation, maintenance and care of the heritage entrusted to the CeAF-LS, which is committed to protecting and developing it while also using new techniques and technological innovations.

The second phase, to be launched in the second half of 2024, covers 25 hectares of agricultural and zootechnical area. Some preparatory activities are already being carried out in this area with a view to a reorganisation and development of the production activities, which for years have characterised this place.

For the Jubilee, a real Borgo Laudato si' should be ready, a place of total immersion in the integral ecology promoted by Pope Francis, a place where learn and touch the rudiments of the custody of Creation.