Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Chicago restaurateur Phil Stefani earlier this year. The pope announced Friday that Stefani and Chef Art Smith will lead a new restaurant project at a historic papal retreat. Courtesy of Stefani Restaurant Group

A pair of well-known names in Chicago hospitality have been tabbed by the Vatican for a unique restaurant project.

Celebrity chef Art Smith and restaurateur Phil Stefani will open a restaurant and handle catering services at Borgo Laudato Si’, part of a historic papal retreat newly opened to the public.

Chicago native Pope Leo XIV made the announcement Friday in Rome. The project actually predates the new pope, as Stefani and Smith were selected earlier this year by a committee led by the late Pope Francis.

The Borgo Laudato Si’ is situated withi

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