This year, the first American Thanksgiving dinner is taking place at Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence just outside of Rome.
On Nov. 25, Pope Leo XIV spoke with NBC News’ Molly Hunter, sharing what he hopes people in the U.S. will keep in mind as they observe the holiday.
“I would encourage all people, especially with this beautiful feast that we have in the United States, which unites all people, people of different faiths, people who perhaps do not have the gift of faith, but to say thank you to someone, to recognize that we all have received so many gifts, first and foremost, the gift of life,” he said.
The pope spoke outside of Castel Gandolfo before his first trip abroad to Turkey and Lebanon, where he will meet with political and religious leaders.
On Nov. 26, a farm-to-table Thanksgiving initiative started by Pope Francis is taking place for the Castel Gandolfo’s Borgo Laudatoto Si’ team, who take care of the land. The village surrounding the palacial residence has 135 acres of gardens, vineyards, olive trees, farmland, greenhouses and livestock.
Prepared by Chicago’s chef Art Smith, the Thanksgiving menu has both Italian and Chicagoan influences.
The turkey is roasted with truffle butter and herbs, and served with porchetta, stuffing made from Chicago’s Turano Bread Co., and Mauro Provisions giardiniera.
“A real Italian bird, but it’s made with a lot of love,” Smith says.
“This is the first American Thanksgiving in Castel Gandolfo,” he said of the 450-year-old home.
He rounds out the menu with polenta cornbread dressing with sausage and apple (an Oprah favorite), sirloin with porcini, ciabatta with pancetta, and a cacio e pepe timbale.
“The Italians love to do pasta and mold it,” Smith told Hunter of the latter dish, adding that it’s almost like a savory “pudding mold.”
Smith said he hopes this Thanksgiving is the start of a new papal tradition.
“Giving thanks to those taking care of this land, that’s what’s important,” Smith said, before sharing his own hope for what people take from the first papal Thanksgiving meal: “That we’re a wonderful country, that we love people with food.”
