Pope Leo XIV has embarked on a noteworthy initiative, marking the first "green" papal Mass at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, located south of Rome.
This event precedes a six-week vacation and underscores the pontiff's commitment to environmental issues.
According to Breitbart, the Mass featured a new set of prayers focused on the stewardship of God's creation, signaling Pope Leo's intention to prioritize "environmental stewardship and climate justice for the worlds most vulnerable people."
This approach aligns with the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was known for his strong stance on ecological matters. The Associated Press highlighted the significance of this private Mass, which was held at the Laudato Si center. This center is named after Francis' 2015 encyclical that criticized the exploitation of the Earth by wealthy nations and corporations at the expense of the vulnerable.
Pope Leo has sanctioned a new Mass formula dedicated to "the care of creation," adding it to a historic list of Masses designed for specific needs. This initiative responds to calls from Francis' encyclical, which has sparked a movement within the Church to educate and advocate for environmental care. As the first American pope, Leo has expressed his intention to advance the ecological efforts initiated by Francis.
In a recent message for the Church's annual day of prayer for creation, Pope Leo condemned the "injustice, violations of international law and the rights of peoples, grave inequalities and the greed that fuels them," which he attributes to deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss. He pointedly identified "climate change provoked by human activity" as a primary culprit.
The pontiff emphasized the unequal impact of environmental destruction, noting, "As yet, we seem incapable of recognizing that the destruction of nature does not affect everyone in the same way. When justice and peace are trampled underfoot, those who are most hurt are the poor, the marginalized and the excluded."
Pope Leo's actions and statements reflect a continuation of the Church's growing focus on environmental issues, highlighting the moral imperative to protect the planet and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
This approach resonates with the broader conservative emphasis on stewardship and responsibility, while also challenging the excesses of unchecked industrial and economic practices.
Login