Archbishop of York visits Borgo Laudato Si' and plants orchid gift from His Majesty the King

Source: Archbishop of York

One of the many poignant moments during His Majesty The King's State Visit to the Holy See was when he and Pope Leo exchanged orchids. Both are deeply committed to living sustainably on the earth and this exchange of gifts represented this shared commitment to the earth.

This morning, in a moment of prayer and reflection Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, and Father Manuel Dorantes, Management Director of the Borgo Laudato Si' in Castel Gandolfo, joined the gardeners to plant the orchid that The King gave Pope Leo. The planting took place in a beautiful place of prayer in the garden where Pope Leo visits and prays most weeks.

The garden of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, through the Borgo Laudato Si' project models sustainable business, gardening and farming, and works to train and inspire others to do the same. A vision that is shared by His Majesty.

Offering prayers of thanksgiving, Archbishop Stephen said: "May this orchid, a gift exchanged between His Majesty the King and Pope Leo, be a sign of the flourishing that God longs for His Church and for the world."

His visit concluded with prayers for His Majesty The King and for Pope Leo.

You can watch a short video recorded during Archbishop Stephen's Visit to Borgo Laudato Si'