By: Mwenya Chitambala
Italy’s Castel Gandolfo At the International Centre for the Focolare Movement’s peaceful Mariapoli Centre, more than 400 representatives from the Global Laudato Si’ Community came together in a potent fusion of faith and action to commemorate a significant occasion: the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’s seminal encyclical, Laudato Si’.
In addition to being a celebration, the three-day “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference, which attracted 1,000 people to its opening ceremony, served as a strategic and spiritual gathering to decide the way to continue addressing the “Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor.” For many, it was the moment when leaders, animators, and activists recognised one another for the first time, transforming ten years of virtual collaboration into a real-life community.
One of the delegates was Bernadette Crewe-Brown, who is also the co-lead of LSMs South African chapter. The conference emphasised the strength of a single, worldwide family.
With a strong sense of purpose, the event got underway. Margaret Karram of the Focolare Movement and Dr. Lorna Gold, the Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, prepared the groundwork for a meeting with the shared objective of “striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share.”
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV led a celebration of hope for our common home during the opening ceremony, which was a highlight. LSM Board Chair Yeb Saño greeted him. Maria Silva and Arnold Schwarzenegger gave stirring speeches during the ceremony, and Jacqui Remond led a poignant reflection called “Sister Water – The Cry of the Earth.” Earth’s tears were collected into a single vessel and blessed by the Pope in a highly symbolic act.
Standing with advocates for migrants, hungry people, and communities impacted by climate-driven violence, Sr. Constance Chanda of Zambia effectively symbolised the tears of wildlife ecosystems, turning our shared grief into a source of “Tears of Hope.”
Breakout sessions explored essential topics during the conference, such as bringing faith voices together for COP30 and beyond and Laudato Si’ in action at the local level. With performances by CAFOD’s Adeneke Adewale, the all-female group Gen Verde, and composer Mark Chait, who is a global climate justice advocate, the arts were a constant and vibrant presence.
“One Family, One Common Home” was a moving ecumenical walk that united people of many faiths in solidarity and prayer. Jane Overmeyer, a South African artist, presented two paintings at the same time that visually connected the ten-year history of Laudato Si’.
There was a tangible commitment to action. To strengthen cooperation, delegates met strategically, including African leaders such as Bishop Coffi Roger Anoumou from Benin, Fr. Dr Rigobert Minani Bihuzo, S.J., from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Abanda Jean Marie from DRC. The conference established a clear goal: to use the moral power of People’s Determined Contributions (PDCs) to influence future international forums, particularly COP30.
It was a launch rather than a conclusion as the conference came to a close with a group dinner. A strong call for unity came from African voices, who viewed Laudato Si’ Movement Africa as a “shining light.” The international community recommitted to cooperating for a sustainable, ecologically integrated future after departing Castel Gandolfo with renewed resolve, following an ancient path as instruments of peace.
Link to Bernadette Crew-Brown’s full story: Raising Hope for Climate Justice Conference.pdf