In a powerful message for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Leo XIV has called for urgent action against environmental and social injustices. Quoting extensively from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’, he emphasized that God’s creation should not be a battleground for vital resources.
As the Church prepares to observe this significant day on September 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV’s message, titled Seeds of Peace and Hope, was released on July 2. It urges Christians and all people of goodwill to recognize the pressing need for justice in a world increasingly scarred by climate change, conflict, and inequality.
Justice in a Wounded World
Echoing the prophetic words of Isaiah, Pope Leo invites the global community to envision a transformation of today’s “arid and parched desert” into “a fruitful field.” He stresses that this biblical vision is not merely poetic but an urgent call to action amid alarming ecological and human crises.
In the year marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, Pope Leo highlights the encyclical’s emphasis on the interconnectedness of environmental destruction and social injustice. He writes,
“Injustice, violations of international law and the rights of peoples, grave inequalities, and the greed that fuels them are spawning deforestation, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.”
The Pope links environmental degradation to the exploitation of the poor and marginalized, underscoring the disproportionate suffering of indigenous communities and the widening gap between rich and poor.
Nature as a Battleground
Pope Leo laments that nature has become “a bargaining chip,” subjected to policies prioritizing profit over people and the planet. He paints a sobering picture of creation “turned into a battleground” for control and domination, from agricultural lands riddled with landmines to conflicts over water and raw materials.
These issues, he asserts, are “the effect of sin,” a betrayal of the biblical command not to dominate creation but to “till and keep” it. This call to cultivate and preserve the Earth through care and responsibility is central to his message.
Environmental Justice as a Moral Imperative
The Pope reaffirms the Church’s commitment to an “integral ecology,” a concept at the heart of Laudato si’. He asserts that environmental justice is not an abstract or secondary concern but a “duty born of faith.”
“For believers,” he writes,
“the universe reflects the face of Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and redeemed.”
In this light, caring for the planet becomes not only an ecological necessity but also a profoundly spiritual and moral vocation.
Seeds That Bear Fruit
Encouraging concrete action, Pope Leo calls for perseverance and love in sowing “seeds of justice” that will, in time, bear the fruits of peace. He cites the Borgo Laudato Si’ project at Castel Gandolfo as a tangible example of how education and community life rooted in ecological values can shape a just and hopeful future.
“This may take years,” the Pope acknowledges, “but years that involve an entire ecosystem made up of continuity, fidelity, cooperation, and love.”
A Blessing for the Future
Concluding his message with a prayer for the outpouring of God’s Spirit, Pope Leo XVI invokes the hope of the risen Christ as the guiding light for a world longing for healing. “May [Laudato si’] continue to inspire us,” he writes, “and may integral ecology be increasingly accepted as the right path to follow.”
The announcement comes as global leaders and environmental advocates continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change and resource management. Pope Leo’s message is a clarion call for faith-driven stewardship and a reminder of the moral imperative to protect our common home.
