Castel Gandolfo: Pope Leo XIV has urged Christians to renew their commitment to caring for creation, the poor and the hungry, saying it is still possible to turn what has been used for destruction towards the protection and support of life.
The Pope made the appeal on 1 September as he celebrated Mass at the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo for the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the beginning of the five week Season of Creation.
Reflecting on the biblical readings, Pope Leo invited the faithful to look closely at the beauty of the natural world and recognise the Creator through it. He said that contemplating creation should lead people beyond simply admiring nature towards a deeper encounter with God.
He encouraged people to step away from the noise and demands of daily life and listen to what he described as the “melodious voice” of creation. For Pope Leo, this attentive reflection is the first step towards an authentic ecological conversion.
He said such conversion should become visible in the way people relate to the world around them. It also requires recognising humanity’s responsibility to restore relationships among all creatures according to the will of the Creator.
Pope Leo stressed that this responsibility belongs to everyone, both individually and collectively. He also acknowledged that recognising human failures can become an opportunity to renew efforts to care for creation.
A central part of his message was the call to transform instruments of destruction into instruments that sustain life. Referring to the biblical image of beating swords into ploughshares, which is also the theme of his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, he urged people to “transform harm into life”.
“It is not yet too late,” Pope Leo said, stressing that resources and means once used for destruction can instead be directed towards caring for the poor, feeding the hungry and protecting creation.
The Season of Creation will continue until 4 October, when the Church will commemorate the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Pope Leo recalled the influence of Saint Francis on Pope Francis, particularly in the writing of Laudato Si’ and the establishment of the Laudato Si’ Village, where the Mass was celebrated.
Turning to the Canticle of the Creatures, in which Saint Francis praises God through the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, fire and earth, Pope Leo invited the faithful to follow the saint’s example.
He called on Christians to renew their commitment to universal fraternity, saying that it is closely connected with the responsibility to care for creation.