A case study about entrepreneurship and the implementation of integral ecology based on Pope Francis’ flagship legacy project in Castel Gandolfo

Abstract Pope Francis, head of catholic Church, passed away in 2025. He was a faith leader well-known for his appeals on issues of humanity, human rights, and development such as migration, peace, poverty alleviation, economics, and ecology. In 2023, he launched a project in the Vatican territory of Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. This initiative called Borgo Laudato si’ encompasses tourism, circular economy, agriculture, gardening, environmental sustainability, professional training for marginalized people, and education. This case study presents Pope Francis’ teaching on entrepreneurship and on “integral ecology”, a key concept of his 2015 encyclical Laudato si’ on the care of our common home. The links between Papal theory and the Borgo Laudato si’ are highlighted. The Catholic social principles applied in Castel Gandolfo are compared to entrepreneurship-related concerns and practices as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals. Its achievements and plans are analyzed according to the integral ecology framework. Open documents such as press releases, media articles, statutes and official documents have been analysed in order to present the Borgo Laudato si’. This research describes a very peculiar initiative – a part of Pope Francis’ legacy—which intends to implement Catholic social Teaching on Vatican ground as a matter of consistency and exemplarity. This project also aims to inspire business leaders to think according to integral ecology and to adopt ethical frameworks. It will take several years to assess the sustainability of this practice and the influence it can exert.