Castel Gandolfo: With the world looking toward fresh commitments in the battle against climate change, former California Governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised the Catholic Church as a global force capable of driving grassroots environmental transformation. Speaking ahead of the “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference, which opens on October 1 in Castel Gandolfo, Schwarzenegger told Vatican News that the Church’s reach to 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide is a unique power for healing the planet.
Over 400 religious leaders, climate experts, and political representatives are gathering in Castel Gandolfo from October 1–3 to mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the care of creation. The conference, organized by the Vatican and climate partners, will feature keynote addresses, spiritual encounters, and cultural experiences, with Pope Leo XIV set to deliver a major speech on Wednesday.
Schwarzenegger said the Church’s vast network 200,000 parishes and 400,000 priests worldwide offers “tremendous power” to spread awareness and action on climate justice. “God gave me this gift that can communicate the issue; I have the will and I can see it, and I will do everything I can to make this a better world,” he explained during a Vatican press briefing.
The former governor praised the Vatican’s commitment to becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral state, describing those who act on their words as “the true action heroes.” While acknowledging the vital role of governments, Schwarzenegger stressed that policy alone cannot achieve global sustainability.
“Government is very important in this environmental movement,” he said. “But government alone cannot do it. We need everyone to participate.” He dismissed climate skeptics who claim that environmental protections harm economic growth, pointing to California as proof that economic prosperity and strong environmental laws can go hand in hand. “If California were a country, it would be the fourth-largest economy in the world,” he noted.
“What you need is not just hope but a plan,” Schwarzenegger added. “If you have a clear vision and a clear goal, then you can do it.”
The Holy See Press Office hosted the launch conference on Tuesday, featuring Schwarzenegger alongside Maina Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change, Cardinal Jaime Spengler of Porto Alegre, Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, and Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Sr. Smerilli highlighted the Church’s on-the-ground impact, noting how thousands of parishes and Catholic schools are already modeling sustainable living. “The tenth anniversary of Laudato si’ is not a destination, but a new beginning,” she said. “The challenges remain enormous, and we are called to renewed commitment.”
Dr. Lorna Gold emphasized that the Castel Gandolfo gathering is more than symbolic. Around 1,000 participants are expected, and the conference will introduce the “Laudato Si’ 10” pledge, a framework urging institutions and individuals to recommit to the vision of Pope Francis’ encyclical.
She acknowledged frustration at the slow pace of political progress ahead of COP30 in Brazil this November, but insisted hope must remain at the center of activism. “Pope Francis urged us not to give in to despair, but to ‘sing as we go’ believing that hope can prevail even in the darkest times,” she said.
Reflecting on the passing of Pope Francis earlier this year, Dr. Gold said the movement now carries a “sacred duty” to continue his legacy. “We will keep raising hope everywhere as he directed us, with joy and determination.”
The venue itself, the Laudato Si’ Village at Castel Gandolfo, embodies the Church’s effort to unite faith, ecology, and culture. Over three days, participants will blend policy discussions with prayer, underscoring that ecological commitment is not only political but deeply spiritual.
As Schwarzenegger put it: “The Catholic Church is a powerhouse. If its members, from the parish level to the Vatican, all take part in this mission, then real change will happen.”