Pope Leo and Sister Glacier at the “Raising Hope” Climate Justice Conference
On October 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV opened a three-day conference in Castel Gandolfo called Raising Hope. The event brought together global leaders from the spheres of faith, politics, and civil society to assess progress and chart future actions regarding the climate and ecological crisis.
In his opening remarks, Pope Leo said:
“I therefore renew my strong appeal for unity around integral ecology and for peace….Moreover, Pope Francis emphasized that ‘the most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions on the national and international levels’ (Laudate Deum, 69). Everyone in society, through non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups, must put pressure on governments to develop and implement more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls.”
The Pope also offered a challenge to all who would listen:
“I would like to conclude with a question that concerns each of us. God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created (cf. Gen 2:15), for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters (cf. Gen 4:9; Jn 13:34). What will be our answer?”
This initiative was organized by the Laudato Si’ Movement and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Prominent figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Marina Silva, Minister of Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the urgent need for continued commitment to ecological conversion and integrated solutions for the planet and the poor.
-friar Michael Lasky OFM Conv.
General Delegate for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
