From Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ to Leo XIV: voices of hope for creation

The death of Pope Francis prompted renewed reflection on his prophetic voice, which awakened the global Church to the moral urgency of the ecological crisis. Now, Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate with a fresh call for harmony with creation and bold action, urging Catholics to move “from words to action” in caring for our common home. Below are two reflections from members of the Laudato Si’ Movement on Francis’s legacy and Leo’s early words. 

Pope Francis was a voice for creation, the poor, and the Church

I was both saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of our dear beloved Pope Francis. He had a heart for the poor, the needy, and the weak, and he spoke out for those whose voices were going unheard.

For me, care for creation and the poor have always been at the heart of what it means to be Catholic, so I was delighted when his encyclical Laudato Si’ (LS) was released almost exactly a decade ago. In this, he makes it quite clear that “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS217)

I am a member of the Laudato Si’ Movement, a global Catholic climate movement inspired by his encyclical. One of our strategic goals is “to mobilize the Church to raise a prophetic voice for climate and ecological justice.”

To be a prophet today — a voice for the poor and weak — is not easy at times; it never has been. Yet this is what we are called to be, and Pope Francis has certainly inspired me and given me courage in my efforts in this. Just like his predecessor St. Peter, who proclaimed the truth about the risen Christ, Pope Francis was bold in declaring the truth about care of creation and emphasizing that it is an issue of morality. “To commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God.” Preaching repentance to those who do not want to hear it is challenging, but Francis told us that we must “Repent of the ways we have harmed the planet” and “acknowledge our sins against creation.”

As a lay member of the Order of Preachers, Pope Francis’ teachings in Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum have given clearer direction in my life’s vocation. His words have inspired and renewed my preaching over the past few years.

Prior to Laudato Si’, climate denial was still the main narrative in much of the developed world. Pope Francis changed all that and became the key figure to put care for the environment and the poor at the forefront of people’s minds across the world.

Though he has now passed away, he remains with us. As he takes up his new exalted position within the Communion of Saints, his prayers for us will be even more powerful.

Mark Norbury, OP, is a member of the Laudato Si’ Circle at St. Joseph’s in Port Moody.

A kairos moment for the Church

The Laudato Si’ Movement joins the global Church in joyful prayer and deep reflection following the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV’s call to honour the peace that comes from God and to build bridges of love and encounter touches our hearts. His praying the Hail Mary from the balcony of St. Peter’s Square is a sign of his unity with all humanity and creation.

In his time as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV said that when it comes to the ecological crisis, it’s time to move “from words to action.”

Pope Leo XIV’s call for action and harmony among all creation comes in a long line of papal teachings on the environment. As early as 1972, Pope Paul VI began speaking about the environmental emergency, and both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis devoted considerable teaching to it. For decades, bishops, women and men religious, and theologians have spoken about the urgent need to interpret our faith in light of the signs of the planetary crisis.

Lorna Gold, executive director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, said, “This is a kairos moment — a time of unity and bold action. Pope XIV is the pope needed at this moment — a man who stands for unity, peace, and action for our planet. A man who will no doubt continue in the tradition of Leo XIII who broke the mold and ushered in a new era with the first Catholic social teaching, Rerum Novarum.”

Gold continued, “As a man who has served communities in Peru and called for action on climate justice, we look forward to his leadership at this critical time. Together with the grassroots leaders, bishops, women and men religious, and priests that we collaborate with daily, we’ll continue walking the path towards climate and ecological justice.”

Reba Elliott is senior director for strategy, planning, and special projects at laudatosimovement.org.

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