A pope for the environment

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has been very outspoken about the climate and environmental crisis as well as human rights, through his deep faith and leadership. Faith-based environmental leaders as well as global and Philippine climate leaders lauded his election last May 8.

At a seminar in November 2024 in Rome, Prevost said that it is time to move “from words to action” on the environmental crisis facing humanity, based on the Social Doctrine of the Church. Prevost further cautioned against the “harmful” consequences of technological development and reiterated the Holy See’s commitment to protecting the environment, enumerating examples, like the Vatican installing solar panels and shifting to electric vehicles. He stated that “dominion over nature” – the task which God gave humanity – should not become “tyrannical.” It must be a “relationship of reciprocity” with the environment.

Pope Leo XIV, 69, is the first pontiff elected from the United States. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, and worked for many years in Peru, including as bishop of Chiclayo in the northwest.

Pope Leo XIV appears to be aligned with his predecessor Pope Francis, who issued the church’s first encyclical on protecting the earth and “care for our common home,” Laudato Si’, and was active on environmental issues throughout his papacy.

Jefferson Chua, GreenPeace Philippines campaigner, states, “There are encouraging signs that Leo XIV’s papacy will be one of continuity from

Francis, especially with the latter’s concern for the environment. Leo XIV can potentially usher in a papacy that takes on a courageous stance against corporate power, especially those that have been responsible for the climate crisis, drawing from the social vision of his nominal predecessor Leo XIII. We hope that he imbibes the missionary zeal from his life’s work to reach out to the margins of the climate crisis, and take on the challenge of relentlessly calling for justice and accountability on their behalf.”

In addition, a recent press release shared that faith-based advocates and climate campaigners across Europe and from the Philippines gathered at the May 8 Annual General Meeting of Standard Chartered, calling for an end to its fossil fuels financing. Bishop Gerry Alminaza of Caritas Philippines reminded board members and shareholders.

“Companies are locking us into yet another fossil fuel – liquefied natural gas – which we must import and which has already doubled our power generation tariffs… In the climate-vulnerable Philippines, the Catholic Church has committed to respond to the climate crisis, pledging to divest from banks that support fossil fuels by the end of this year. This commitment reflects the vision of Laudato Si’, where Pope Francis calls on all of us to take shared responsibility and ensure genuine action for one another and our planet.”

Ana Toni of Brazil, COP 30 CEO, said: “As the climate crisis reaches unprecedented levels, it is very encouraging to learn that the new Pope Leo XIV, appears to align closely with Pope Francis when it comes to climate change. Cardinal Robert Prevost has urged us to ‘move from words to action,’ which is also the motto for COP30. The COP30 presidency hopes to welcome Pope Leo XIV in Belem in November to help us reach a climate agreement that will mark a turning point in the creation of a more prosperous, safer, fairer and sustainable future.”

Lorna Gold, executive director of Laudato Si’ Movement, sees this as “a kairos moment – a time of unity and bold action. Pope Leo XIV is the pope needed at this moment: a man who stands for unity, peace and action for our planet. A man who will no doubt continue in the tradition of Leo XIII who broke the mould and ushered in a new era with the first Catholic social teaching, Rerum Novarum.

“As a man who has served communities in Peru and called for action on climate justice, we look forward to his leadership at this critical time. Together with the grassroots leaders, bishops, women and men religious and priests that we collaborate with daily, we’ll continue walking the path towards climate and ecological justice.”

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Angela Asuncion is regional communications associate (Asia-Philippines) of the Global Strategic Communications Council, an international network of communications professionals in the fields of climate, energy and nature.