As Pope Leo XIV’s voice echoed through COP30 in Belém, Brazil — urging the world to “cultivate peace by caring for creation” — faith communities across the Global South stood united, calling for justice, courage, and hope.
At the heart of this movement, the Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) is raising the moral voice of the Church, joining with communities from the Philippines to Jamaica who live every day what world leaders debate in theory.
In recent weeks, record-breaking floods in the Philippines and the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica have exposed the painful truth: the climate crisis, driven by the few, is endured by the many.
“As a Filipino, I am witnessing firsthand the suffering of communities losing everything to floods and storms,” said Yeb Saño, Chairperson of the Laudato Si’ Movement. “The Global South continues to bear the burden of a crisis it did not create. It is time for the world to listen — and to act.”
A prophetic call from the Global South
The Global South Churches’ Statement for COP30 echoes that same urgency — reminding us that “the wounds of the Earth and the suffering of its people are one and the same.” The statement calls for:
- Recognition of the ecological debt owed to the South,
- An end to fossil fuel expansion, and
- A just transition that uplifts the poor and restores creation.
This moral vision resonates deeply with Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to build peace through care for creation — a peace grounded in justice, compassion, and shared responsibility.
Highlights from COP30
Faith leaders, communities, and partners are gathering in Belém to renew their shared commitment to ecological justice and integral human development.
🌍 Multi-Faith Global Ethic Stocktake Event
📅 Wednesday, November 12 | 10:00–11:30 AM
📍 GES Pavilion – Blue Zone
Reflections from faith and ethical leaders on shared moral frameworks for climate ambition and justice.
🌍 We Don’t Have Time – Live Broadcast: Raising Hope and the PDCs
📅 Thursday, November 13 | 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 Blue Zone, Media Centre
A live global conversation with media partners and environmental influencers.
🌍 Raising Hope: A Decade of Laudato Si’ and the Paris Agreement
📅 Friday, November 14 | 10:00–11:30 AM
📍 Global Ethic Stocktake Pavilion – Blue Zone
Revisiting the link between Laudato Si’ and the Paris Agreement — and launching the People’s Determined Contributions campaign.
🌍 Film Screening – “The Letter: A Message for Our Earth”
📅 Friday, November 14 | 8:30 PM (TBC)
📍 Parque da Residência, Belém
Public screening followed by a dialogue on art, spirituality, and climate engagement.
🌍 TED Countdown House: “The Climate Crisis Is a Spiritual Crisis”
📅 Saturday, November 15 | 2:00–3:30 PM
📍 TED Countdown House
A multifaith panel exploring the moral and spiritual dimensions of the climate emergency.
🌍 Concert for Peace – “Vital Signs of the Planet”
📅 Saturday, November 15 | 8:00–10:00 PM
📍 Theatro da Paz, Belém
An artistic celebration of faith, creation, and hope.
🎟️ Tickets required – reserve your spot here.
Join the journey.
Explore the full COP30 program and updates.People’s Determined Contributions: Faith in action
The Laudato Si’ Movement is amplifying that call through the People’s Determined Contributions (PDC) campaign — a global movement of faith and action that invites people everywhere to pledge concrete steps for climate justice, even when political will falls short.
“Ten years after the Paris Agreement, government pledges still fall short,” said Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement. “The PDC campaign is our collective response — the people’s pledge to care for creation, support the poor, and bring hope to life.”
Together, the voices of Pope Leo XIV, the Churches of the Global South, and vulnerable communities form a single, prophetic message:
To hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor — and respond with courage, creativity, and hope.
From Belém to Rome, from the Amazon to the islands of the Pacific, the call is the same: faith must rise for the future of our common home.