Pope Leo during the inauguration of Borgo Laudato si’ in Castel Gandolfo. (@Vatican Media)
In his message for the Day of Creation 2025, Pope Leo XIV reminds us with strength (“emphatically reminds us”) that “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (Laudato Si’, 217).
This call speaks directly to us: caring for creation is a concrete expression of our faith. Words, statements, and good intentions are not enough—it is time to transform our lives, our communities, and our choices into actions that reflect love, justice, and hope.
The Pope invites us to sow seeds of justice with dedication and tenderness. Though these seeds may take years to bear fruit, they can transform entire ecosystems into places of peace, fidelity, and collaboration. As a living example, he highlights the “Borgo Laudato Si’” project in Castel Gandolfo, an initiative of education in integral ecology that shows how to live, work, and build community rooted in the principles of Laudato Si’.
Witnesses of Faith and Hope Around the World 🌍
This year’s Season of Creation is being marked by powerful witnesses across continents. They remind us that creation is not only a gift, but a shared responsibility.
📍 Seoul, South Korea
The Season opened with a Mass led by Father Park Hyun-dong, followed by a climate march organized by Laudato Si’ Movement–Korea, uniting the faithful and civil society in a sign of ecological conversion.
📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Africa Climate Summit brought together leaders calling to move from rhetoric to action—positioning Africa not as a victim of climate change, but as a driving force of solutions and the next global climate economy.
📍 Manila, Philippines
The 3rd Ecumenical Walk for Creation gathered Christians from different denominations in prayer and action, calling for stronger commitments to protect our planet.
📍 Rome, Italy
In the Eco-Charity Garden of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan, together with the Laudato Si’ Circle of Rima Trastevere, a Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Francesco Pesce, with reflections from the Laudato Si’ Research Institute. The liturgy included the newly published Mass for the Care of Creation.
📍Across USA
Hundreds of Pilgrimages of Hope for creation are journeying thousands of miles across the US, in Caldwell, Idaho to Ferdinand, Indiana to Houston, Texas to Washington, DC. Pilgrims are journeying towards the healing of our relationships with God, each other, and all of creation.
📍 Lima, Peru
The Archdiocese of Lima, together with the Dioceses of Chosica, Lurín, Chimbote, Tacna, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, marked the opening of the Season of Creation with various activities. The celebration of the Mass for the Care of Creation, presided over by Cardinal Carlos Castillo, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to protecting our Common Home.
Answering Pope Leo’ Call: From Words to Action
The Pope reminds us that caring for creation is central to Christian life. Every act of care, every seed of justice, contributes to a future rooted in hope, peace, and collaboration. Some fruits may take years to appear, yet our dedication, faithfulness, and love can transform communities and ecosystems.
Like the Borgo Laudato Si’ project, we are called to live, learn, and form communities inspired by integral ecology, reflecting God’s self-giving love in our daily actions.
As we approach October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, let us respond with prayer, advocacy, and concrete action. Let us become protectors of creation, sowing seeds that, with God’s grace, will grow into abundant fruits of justice, peace, and hope for generations to come.
🙏 St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us, that our lives may reflect simplicity, compassion, and care for our Common Home.