Vatican City: In a deeply symbolic and historic ceremony at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople was awarded the prestigious 2025 Laudato Si’ Award, recognizing his groundbreaking commitment to ecological stewardship and interfaith unity. The ceremony, hosted by the Order of Friars Minor, also celebrated Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff, the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM), and the Laudato Si’ Movement for their distinct contributions to the global ecological movement.
Bartholomew I, often revered as the “Green Patriarch,” was acknowledged for his instrumental role in shaping global ecological consciousness within Christianity, particularly through his profound influence on Pope Francis. His pioneering advocacy inspired the Catholic Church’s environmental encyclical Laudato si’ and the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, observed on September 1—a tradition long rooted in the Orthodox Church.
In his acceptance speech, Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the ecumenical significance of the Catholic Church embracing this Orthodox-initiated celebration, which has now found resonance across diverse Christian denominations. He spoke with urgency, declaring, “Without authentic human conversion, the ecological crisis will remain unresolved. Any act that harms nature must be seen as a serious moral failing.”
The awards ceremony took place against the backdrop of three significant commemorations: the 800th anniversary of The Canticle of the Creatures, the 10-year milestone of Laudato si’, and the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Franciscans, described the event as more than just a tribute: “These awards are a universal call to ecological transformation. Each honoree reflects a vital dimension of this shared mission to restore harmony between humanity and creation.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the Church of Constantinople, Bartholomew recalled the Orthodox Church’s early warnings on environmental degradation, notably the 1989 encyclical by his predecessor, Patriarch Dimitrios. He decried humanity’s reckless exploitation of nature, driven not by need, but by consumerist excess, stating, “The early Church recognized the sacred bond between the Creator and all creation—an understanding we are now called to rediscover.”
Leonardo Boff, a key theological voice behind Laudato si’, delivered a moving reflection during the ceremony. “Our greatest challenge is to evolve from exploiters of nature to its companions and caretakers,” he said. “We must embrace the Earth not as a resource to dominate, but as a sibling to cherish.”
Bishop Rafael Cob García, representing REPAM, accepted the award as a voice for the Amazon and its people. “In this Jubilee Year, we journey as pilgrims of hope,” he said, invoking a vision of renewed harmony with the Earth.
Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, spoke on behalf of her global network. “We are standing at the threshold of a moral and spiritual crisis,” she noted. “As people of faith, this is our Kairos—a divinely appointed moment—to act with courage and unity.”
The 2025 Laudato Si’ Awards underscored the critical intersection of faith, ecology, and justice, affirming the Church’s role in healing both creation and conscience. Through their leadership and witness, this year’s honorees offer a hopeful path forward for a planet in peril.