This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ Movement. Over the past decade, we’ve been on a journey filled with challenges, community, and unwavering hope as we strive to care for our common home.
As we look back, we remember not only the global impact we’ve made, but also the moments that have shaped our movement.
Beginnings Rooted in Spirit: A story from founding executive director Tomás Insua
With a rushed Skype call by the founding group in mid-December 2014, the idea to formally found the movement ahead of Pope Francis’ trip to the Philippines just one month later seemed unrealistic.
The timing was tight—Christmas was approaching, our group barely knew each other, and there was still so much foundational work to do. Yet, when our Philippine members proposed the idea, it was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. There was a palpable sense of kairos, a divine moment. The Spirit was moving among us, and we decided to go for it.
The Philippines, a nation that embodies the dual cry of the earth and the poor, became the birthplace of our movement. It was a powerful gesture of solidarity and a reminder of the mission we were embarking on together.
A Memory Close to My Heart: A story from board chair Lorna Gold
One memory that stands out is the board meeting in Rome in January 2020, marking the fifth anniversary of the movement. It was a gathering full of meaning, just before the world was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During that meeting, we had the incredible privilege of spending time with Pope Francis. Each of us shared our personal stories of ecological conversion. I spoke about how becoming a mother transformed my perspective, awakening a deep commitment to future generations and the care of creation.
The Pope, in turn, shared his own story of ecological conversion, a moment so intimate and profound that it felt like sacred ground. At the end of our meeting, something extraordinary happened. The Pope invited us to follow him. Curious and expectant, we trailed behind as he led us to a beautiful tapestry. “This,” he explained, “depicts the birthing of the universe. God is shown as a mother with strong yet gentle hands.” He then turned to us and said, “That’s how we all need to be now, like mothers.”
In that moment, it felt as though we were being commissioned—called to nurture creation with the same strength and tenderness depicted in the tapestry. It is a moment I will never forget, a compass for the work we continue to do.
The Song of Creation: A Memory from Antonio Caschetto,
My own unforgettable “decima hora” moment with the Laudato Si’ Movement has a precise date: February 4, 2018. It happened in a specific place: the Serafico Institute in Assisi. And it involved a unique experience: a walk through the forest of St. Francis while singing the Canticle of the Creatures.
That day remains etched in my memory. It was the moment I met the first core team of the movement’s secretariat. They were a reflection of the extraordinary people I’ve encountered over these years and a glimpse of those we’ll meet on the hopeful path ahead.
Answering the Call to Care for Creation: by Igor Bastos
In April 2015, I was blessed with the life-changing opportunity to encounter the Laudato Si’ Movement, then known as the Global Catholic Climate Movement, during a preparatory meeting in Rome for the release of Pope Francis’s groundbreaking encyclical, Laudato Si’. That moment was more than an introduction—it was a spark that reignited a flame within me.
Through the Laudato Si’ Movement, I discovered a profound connection to the Franciscan charism that has guided me since childhood: a deep, unwavering commitment to caring for the most vulnerable and for our shared home. This connection wasn’t just inspiring; it was transformative. It provided a tangible way to respond to one of humanity’s most pressing challenges—the climate crisis—through faith, action, and hope.
Being part of this incredible journey is both a blessing and a sacred responsibility. It has reminded me daily that caring for our common home is far more than an environmental cause; it is a calling, a mission rooted in love, justice, and the harmony of God’s creation.
A Decade of Impact
Over the past ten years, Laudato Si’ Movement has grown into a global family, united in our commitment to ecological and social justice. From intimate moments of conversion to bold collective actions, every step has been guided by a shared vision of hope and care for creation.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we also look forward to the work that remains. Inspired by these memories and the Spirit who has carried us, we continue our journey to protect our common home, hand in hand with communities worldwide.
Here’s to the next decade of adventures, solidarity, and hope. What does the Laudato Si’ Movement mean to you? Share your reflections using the hashtags #RaisingHope and #Catholic to inspire others and continue this journey together. Let’s raise hope for our common home in 2025 and beyond.