On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis’, Pope Leo XIV traveled to Castel Gandolfo to preside over the ''Raising Hope'' conference on climate change
The conference began at 4:00 PM with the arrival of the Pope. This was his entrance through the central aisle, surprising many of those present.
In his speech, the Pope spoke about the importance of this encyclical and the good it can bring to our common home.
POPE LEO XIV
This Encyclical has deeply inspired the Catholic Church and many people of goodwill. It has proven to be a source of dialogue. It has given rise to reflection groups, academic programs in schools and universities, as well as partnerships and projects of various kinds on every continent.
He also expressed gratitude to his predecessor and encouraged everyone to continue safeguarding for his legacy.
POPE LEO XIV
Let us give thanks to our Heavenly Father for this gift we have inherited from Pope Francis! The challenges identified in Laudato Si’ are in fact even more relevant today than they were ten years ago. These challenges are of social and political in nature, but first and foremost of a spiritual nautre: they call for conversion.
The legendary Terminator actor was also present at the event and described the Pope as an “action hero,” like the ones in his movies, because of the continuity he has brought to the care and protection of the environment.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Now you might be laughing because he doesn't look maybe like one, like you see in the movies with the muscles and with the guns and all that stuff no. But the reason I call him an action hero is because as soon as he became the Pope, he ordered the Vatican to put solar panels on top of the buildings.
One of the most symbolic moments of the event was when the Pope blessed a large block of ice, representing protection for nature. At the end of the gathering, Pope Leo posed a question to the audience:
LEO XIV
God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that He created, for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters. What will our answer be?
With that, he gave his blessing to those present and called on world leaders at upcoming global summits to listen to the cries of the Earth, of families, of the poor, and of migrants.
BAM
