• Green Glow
  • Posts
  • 🌱 Pope Leo Calls for Global Climate Action at Castel Gandolfo Conference ✝️🌎

🌱 Pope Leo Calls for Global Climate Action at Castel Gandolfo Conference ✝️🌎

Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful climate speech at Castel Gandolfo, urging governments to adopt stronger environmental policies and calling ecological care a Christian duty. His message builds on Laudato si’ and looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil.

Author

Green Glow
October 02, 2025

Pope Leo XIV has made a powerful appeal for urgent climate action, urging governments and societies to confront environmental destruction as a moral and spiritual crisis. Speaking at the “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, the pontiff emphasized that protecting the natural world is an essential part of Christian faith. His remarks marked his first major speech on the environment since his election in May 2025.

Table of Contents

A Call to Protect Creation

In his address, Pope Leo declared that love for God cannot be separated from respect for His creation. “We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures,” he told the audience. The pope urged non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and ordinary citizens to put pressure on governments to strengthen environmental regulations, procedures, and controls.

By framing ecological responsibility as a matter of faith, Pope Leo reinforced the deep spiritual and ethical dimension of the climate crisis.

Continuing Pope Francis’ Legacy

The conference marked the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the environment. Pope Leo praised his predecessor’s vision, which connected environmental destruction with social injustice and poverty, and inspired the global Laudato si’ Movement.

To further that mission, Pope Leo inaugurated a new ecological center at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. He called for both Catholics and non-Catholics alike to embrace an “ecological conversion” that transforms how individuals, communities, and institutions treat the Earth.

Linking Faith and Global Climate Action

Pope Leo’s speech also looked ahead to next month’s COP30 climate conference in Brazil. He urged world leaders to listen to “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, families, indigenous peoples, involuntary migrants, and believers throughout the world.”

The pope’s remarks highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, reinforcing the moral responsibility of wealthier nations to take stronger action.

Responding to Climate Skepticism

Just days earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” Without naming Trump directly, Pope Leo countered this skepticism by quoting Pope Francis’ second environmental document, Laudate Deum, which condemned those who ridicule climate science.

Pope Leo insisted that the challenge is not only about gathering more scientific evidence, but about transforming human behavior. “We must shift from collecting data to caring,” he said, emphasizing the need for compassion and moral responsibility.

A Moral Reckoning for Humanity

Closing his address, Pope Leo warned that future generations will hold today’s leaders accountable for their actions. “God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters. What will be our answer?”

His words placed the climate crisis firmly within the framework of spiritual duty, turning environmental protection into both a human and divine mandate.

Conclusion

With his speech at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV has positioned himself as a moral voice in the global climate movement, continuing the work of Pope Francis while placing fresh urgency on ecological action. His message is clear: caring for creation is inseparable from faith, justice, and the future of humanity.

FAQs

What did Pope Leo XIV say about climate change at the Castel Gandolfo conference?

Pope Leo XIV emphasized that damaging the environment is incompatible with Christian faith. He urged governments to adopt stronger environmental regulations and called for a global “ecological conversion” to protect the Earth.

How does Pope Leo XIV’s speech relate to Pope Francis’ Laudato si’?

Pope Leo praised Laudato si’ on its 10th anniversary, describing it as a moral compass for ecological responsibility. He said his papacy will continue Francis’ work by connecting climate action with justice, poverty alleviation, and faith.

Why was Castel Gandolfo chosen for the conference?

Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence, was chosen to launch a new ecological center dedicated to environmental education and faith-based sustainability efforts.

Did Pope Leo XIV respond to climate change skepticism?

Yes. Without naming Donald Trump directly, Pope Leo referenced Pope Francis’ Laudate Deum, which criticized those who dismiss or ridicule climate science. He said the focus must shift from “collecting data” to “caring.”

How does the Vatican view upcoming climate summits like COP30?

Pope Leo expressed hope that COP30 in Brazil will listen to “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.” He emphasized that these summits must prioritize vulnerable communities and future generations.

You May Also Like

Sponsored Links