Pope Leo XIV Marks Environmental Commitment with Special Mass
Pope Leo XIV led a Mass today in the gardens of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, marking a significant step in the Church's commitment to care credit environmental care. The Mass, attended by Vatican officials and staff of the Borgo Laudato Si' ecology project, featured a new formulary 'for the care of creation', added to the Roman Missal by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Pope Leo, who spent two weeks at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, revived a custom skipped by his predecessor, Pope Francis. During the Mass, he urged attendees to reflect on their personal commitment to care credit environmental care. Vatican officials, Holy Cross Father Daniel Groody, and Bishop Dr. Stephan Ackermann, an expert on migration, were among those present.
The Pope was scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later in the day, but he was not present at the Mass.
The Mass 'for the care of creation' serves as a reminder of the Church's dedication to care credit environmental stewardship. Pope Leo's call for personal reflection and commitment underscores the importance of individual action in caring for the planet.
