In a powerful call for unity and action, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Network of Universities for the Care of Our Common Home through a videomessage, marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’. The Pope’s message—delivered to representatives gathered at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro—encouraged deeper collaboration between universities across the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula in pursuit of ecological and social justice.
So why this message—and why now? With COP30 on the horizon and the world facing escalating environmental challenges, Pope Leo is urging Catholic institutions to lead in a synodal spirit of discernment and solidarity. “This Jubilee Year is a year of hope,” he said, emphasizing that the Church and its institutions must be beacons of hope amid the climate crisis and global inequality. His message builds upon the foundation Pope Francis laid a decade ago with Laudato si’, which framed environmental responsibility as an essential expression of Catholic faith.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo praised the Network’s commitment to “engaging in a synodal work of discernment in preparation for COP30,” especially its ongoing reflection on the moral dimensions of public and ecological debt. This theme echoes what Pope Leo recently highlighted in his World Day of Peace message—a recognition that economic systems must be reconciled with creation care.
But how should Catholic universities respond? The Holy Father offered a clear mission: “To you, university rectors, I want to offer encouragement in the mission you have embraced: to be builders of bridges of integration between the Americas and with the Iberian Peninsula, working for ecological, social, and environmental justice.” This encouragement is not only a moral imperative but also an invitation to innovate—to rethink curricula, expand intercontinental partnerships, and embed the Church’s social teaching at every level of academic life.
What does this look like in practice? It means Catholic universities must go beyond theory and lead by example—through sustainable campuses, research that prioritizes the common good, and student formation grounded in care for creation. As Pope Leo concluded in his message, quoted by Vatican News, “Thank you for all your efforts and your work… keep building bridges.”
In the words of both Pope Francis and now Pope Leo, the Church’s mission in the world includes stewardship of creation and the promotion of justice. As the tenth anniversary of Laudato si’ prompts renewed reflection, Catholic institutions are called to transform education into action—for the earth, for the poor, and for generations to come.
