Pope Leo XIV marked the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si,' highlighting its impact on environmental awareness and sustainable development. He also acknowledged the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, offering prayers for Chinese Catholics. Additionally, the Pope visited the Borgo Laudato Si’ ecology project and celebrated a special Mass for the Care of Creation in Castel Gandolfo. The Mass, inspired by 'Laudato Si,' was celebrated in Latin, emphasizing the urgency of caring for the environment amidst global challenges. Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV made significant appointments within the Church.
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Pope Leo XIV has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental concerns, particularly through his engagement with the Borgo Laudato Si' ecology center and the initiation of a new Mass formulary for creation care. On July 9, 2025, Pope Leo celebrated the inaugural Mass "for the care of creation" at the Borgo Laudato Si' in Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence 1, 8. This open-air liturgy, held amidst the center's gardens, featured the Pope wearing deep green, brocade vestments made by Chicago-based House of Hansen, a firm that had previously outfitted him as Cardinal Robert Prevost 1.
The Borgo Laudato Si', established by the late Pope Francis in 2023, serves as an ecological educational center inspired by his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si' 1, 2, 3. It aims to provide formation and raise awareness about "integral ecology," offering tours, educational programs, and job training for various groups, including the marginalized 2, 3. Pope Leo XIV had previously visited the Borgo Laudato Si' in a surprise excursion on May 29, 2025, also touring the Apostolic Palace, which Pope Francis had converted into a museum 2, 3.
Pope Leo XIV has consistently highlighted the significance of Pope Francis's Laudato Si' encyclical. On May 24, 2025, the 10th anniversary of the encyclical's signing, Pope Leo acknowledged its "extraordinary impact" in inspiring numerous initiatives and teaching people to heed "the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor" 4, 5, 6, 7. He expressed support for the Laudato Si' Movement and those dedicated to this commitment 4, 5, 6.
During his Regina Caeli address on May 25, Pope Leo also called for prayers for all peoples suffering from war, invoking courage for those seeking peace 4, 5. This address coincided with the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, instituted by Pope Benedict XVI 4, 5, 7. Pope Leo prayed for Chinese Catholics to be "strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials," promoting peace and harmony 4, 5, 7.
The vestments worn by Pope Leo XIV for the Mass "for the care of creation" were custom-made by House of Hansen, a Chicago firm with a long history of outfitting Catholic and Anglican clergy 1. The owner, Gerard Arens, noted that the Vatican placed a rush order, and the design required papal approval 1. The chasuble, made of ecclesiastical damask, featured a cross and crown of thorns pattern, and was personally couriered to the Vatican 1.
The Mass itself, held in the Castel Gandolfo gardens, marked the first use of prayers and scriptural readings specified for the new "Mass for the Care of Creation" formulary, which was presented by the Vatican on July 3 8. Notably, Pope Leo recited certain prayers, including the collect and prayer over the offerings, in Latin, as the official translations were not yet available for the "typical edition" 8. This demonstrated his familiarity with Latin, a language he was exposed to as an altar server from a young age 8.
Pope Leo XIV has revived the centuries-old tradition of popes vacationing at Castel Gandolfo, a practice that his predecessor, Pope Francis, had eschewed 8. His two-week stay at the pontifical estate in July 2025 marks a return to this historical summer residence 8. The location of the Mass for Creation, near a statue of the Virgin Mary, also holds significance as a traditional site of prayer for previous pontiffs during their periods of rest 8.
How does the Church teach environmental stewardship and prayer?
The Catholic Church teaches that environmental stewardship is a moral obligation rooted in faith, reflecting humanity's responsibility to care for God's creation, and it is intrinsically linked with prayer and a renewed way of living . This stewardship is not merely an economic or technological issue but a moral and spiritual one, requiring an inner change of heart and a transformation of lifestyle .
The Church emphasizes that the created world is a gift from God, entrusted to humanity's responsible care . This responsibility stems from the biblical account of creation, where God created humanity in His image and likeness and gave them dominion over the earth, with the command to "till and keep" it . This "dominion" is not a license for exploitation but a duty to cultivate and protect creation, ensuring its fruitfulness for present and future generations .
Key aspects of the Church's teaching on environmental stewardship include:
Prayer is an integral part of the Church's call to environmental stewardship. It is seen as a means to foster the necessary spiritual transformation and to express gratitude for God's creation.
In summary, the Church teaches that environmental stewardship is a profound moral and spiritual responsibility, deeply intertwined with faith and prayer. It calls for a recognition of God as the Creator, a commitment to intergenerational justice, a preferential option for the poor, and a personal and communal "ecological conversion" that transforms lifestyles and inspires concrete actions for the care of "our common home" .