Pope Leo XIV spoke passionately on Wednesday about climate change, embracing the environmental message of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He addressed around 1,000 representatives from environmental and indigenous organizations in a gathering near Rome.
In his remarks, Leo stressed that caring for our planet is not just important—it’s a moral duty. He pointed to the encyclical Laudato Si from 2015, which highlights the urgent need to protect our Earth and communities affected by environmental damage. Leo called on these groups to push national governments for tougher climate standards, reflecting a growing sentiment among many about the urgency of climate action.
Notably, Leo’s statements came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump made dismissive comments about climate issues during a U.N. General Assembly speech. Without mentioning Trump directly, Leo highlighted a troubling trend among leaders who ridicule the reality of climate change and blame vulnerable populations for its consequences.
The Pope cited Francis’ 2023 encyclical, which urged leaders to commit to binding climate targets and warned that time is running out. Leo echoed this call to action, saying that Christians must engage deeply with the cause of environmentalism. “We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures,” he remarked, standing before a melting glacier displayed as a striking symbol of climate change.
In practical terms, Leo has endorsed a plan for the Vatican to convert agricultural land into a solar farm. This initiative could make Vatican City the world’s first carbon-neutral state, demonstrating a tangible commitment to sustainable practices.
In recent years, public awareness of climate change has surged. According to a 2022 survey, over 70% of Americans view climate change as a serious threat, reflecting a broader global consciousness. As social media continues to amplify the voices of climate activists, the relevance of these discussions is ever more pressing.
As more leaders take inspiration from figures like Pope Leo and Pope Francis, it seems that the call for environmental stewardship is becoming a unified global dance, one that emphasizes our responsibility not just to the Earth, but to each other.
For further insights on climate change and its implications, visit The Climate Reality Project.
