Since assuming the papacy last year, Pope Leo XIV has made environmental issues a central focus of his agenda, continuing the emphasis placed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, known for his outspoken advocacy on climate change. The current pontiff has repeatedly highlighted the impact of environmental degradation, particularly on vulnerable populations, and has integrated ecological concerns into the Church’s broader social mission.

Shortly after his election, Pope Leo XIV marked the tenth anniversary of Laudato si’, the landmark encyclical issued by Pope Francis, which linked climate change to Catholic social teaching. The 184-page letter urged bishops worldwide to recognize the moral imperative of environmental stewardship and criticized the exploitation of natural resources for financial profit. It called for a “relationship of reciprocity” between humanity and the Earth, a concept that Pope Leo XIV has continued to promote.

Demonstrating his commitment, the Pope has held “green masses” to underscore the Church’s responsibility toward creation, blending liturgical practice with ecological advocacy. He also has taken practical steps, including plans to install a solar farm within Vatican City, signaling an institutional move toward renewable energy and sustainability.

In a recent video address to the Austrian World Summit held in Vienna this summer, Pope Leo XIV framed environmental protection not merely as a political or economic challenge but as a fundamental moral issue that implicates all members of the global community. He called for collective action, emphasizing that the survival of humanity depends on cooperation beyond national borders rather than isolated efforts by individual governments.

By positioning environmental care as an essential component of the Church’s mission, Pope Leo XIV is reinforcing the growing connection between faith and climate advocacy, following the footsteps of Pope Francis while expanding the Church’s engagement with global sustainability challenges.