Vatican City: For the month of September, Pope Leo XIV has dedicated his universal prayer intention to humanity’s relationship with creation, urging the faithful to rediscover the sacred bond that unites all living beings as part of God’s design.
In his message, shared through the monthly Pope Video, the Holy Father calls for prayers that, inspired by the witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, people everywhere may recognize their interdependence with every creature. “Each one is loved by God and deserves our love and respect,” he affirms, reminding us that divine tenderness embraces even the smallest and most fragile forms of life.
Echoing the opening words of Laudato Si’, Pope Leo praised God for the beauty of creation, describing it as a revelation of goodness and a mystery to be contemplated with gratitude, rather than a problem to be managed. His prayer highlights that God’s presence is reflected in every part of the created world and urges believers to take responsibility for safeguarding the earth, “our common home,” by protecting all forms of life.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which prepares the monthly intentions, noted that September’s reflection coincides with the annual Season of Creation, observed globally from September 1 to October 4 the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. This year’s season carries added significance as the Church commemorates both the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ Canticle of Creation and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the anniversary invites believers to live “a moment of gratitude and renewed care for our common home.”
Commenting on the prayer theme, Father Cristóbal Fones, S.J., International Director of the Prayer Network, emphasized that the intention draws attention to humanity’s interconnectedness with the earth. “Our well-being cannot be separated from that of other creatures, nor from the health of the planet,” he explained. He added that in a world driven by consumerism and haste, many long for a simpler, more respectful way of life one that fosters harmony with nature and allows space for silence, reflection, and encounters with God, others, and the self.
By dedicating this month’s intention to creation, Pope Leo XIV continues a strong tradition of ecological spirituality, urging Christians and all people of goodwill to see in creation not just resources to be used, but a gift entrusted to humanity’s care.