“We cannot love God while despising his creatures.” These powerful words from Pope Leo echoed deeply in the hearts of more than 90 members of the Laudato Si’ Movement North America who gathered on October 1 to watch The Raising Hope Conference.
This global event, one of the most significant commemorations of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical, stirred emotion, conviction, and a renewed sense of purpose among all who joined for the watch party.
The highlight of the Conference was the opportunity to listen to Pope Leo, whose very presence moved participants from the moment he entered the conference. His message reminded us that we, too, are part of this global call to conversion and ecological renewal.
A Call to Action from Global Voices
Before Pope Leo’s address, participants heard from several distinguished speakers.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, speaking as a global advocate for environmental action, emphasized the immense influence of the Catholic Church in the fight against pollution and climate change. “The Church,” he said, “with its 1.4 billion faithful, 400,000 priests, 600,000 nuns, and 200,000 churches, can mobilize to terminate pollution.” Calling Pope Leo “an action hero,” Schwarzenegger urged everyone to communicate the urgency of the climate crisis, reminding us that “God put us on this Earth to make it a better place.”
Following him, Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil and co-chair of COP30, gave thanks for this moment of shared faith and purpose. She reflected on the progress since the Paris Agreement (COP21) and encouraged all nations to work toward limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Silva echoed Pope Leo’s invitation to make the upcoming COP a “COP of Hope,” one that preserves and cultivates all forms of life as part of “the beautiful garden that God has given us.”
Pope Leo’s Message: Returning to the Heart
The conference concluded with Pope Leo, who called all people of faith to return to the heart. The sacred space where authentic desire, identity, and decisions are formed.
“Only by returning to the heart can an ecological conversion take place,” he said.
His words offered both challenge and consolation, a reminder that our spiritual lives and care for creation are inseparable, and that hope begins with the transformation of the human heart.
Reflections from the LSMNA Community
As our North American members reflected together on the conference, several powerful insights emerged:
- “I am thankful for each one of you this morning. A blessing to watch this amazing event with you and enter into prayer together.”
- “Love the message of Pope Leo that the people are the superheroes. Let’s rise up, have courage, and speak out about creating a more green, just society. We need conversion in our churches and worship spaces.”
- “Imagine if every Catholic parish in the world put solar energy on the rectory. This would educate and inspire Catholics in the pews to act locally and globally at once.”
- “I resonated with Pope Leo’s comment, ‘There is no room for complacency or indifference.’ As a chemist studying methylmercury pollution, I am grateful for these words. We work hard out of love for God and one another. We are all connected.”
- “Together, we find hope! Together, we have the courage to act! Caring for others, caring for all God’s creation, we are enriched and stronger. Beautiful program.”
United in Faith and Hope
The Raising Hope Conference was not only a celebration of a decade of Laudato Si’, but also a renewal of our shared mission, to protect creation, uplift communities, and transform hearts through faith. As Pope Leo reminded us, ecological conversion begins within each of us.