Pope Leo XIV has celebrated the first Mass for the Care of Creation at the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo, urging Christians to embrace their mission to bring peace and reconciliation to the world and all creation. Source: Vatican News.
The Mass took place at the Laudato Si’ Village, an educational centre located in the Papal summer residence near Rome, and was attended by the centre’s staff.
In off-the-cuff remarks at the start of his homily, the Holy Father said the Mass, which is a new formulary of the Roman Missal, was being celebrated surrounded by beauty in “a kind of ‘natural’ cathedral”.
He noted that the layout of the Laudato Si’ Village, which has an altar in the front and a water basin nearby, recalls the ancient Christian churches, which placed the baptismal font near the entrance to symbolise that Christians have passed through water to be cleansed of their sins and weaknesses.
Pope Leo lamented the many natural disasters that afflict people around the world, which are “often caused – at least in part – by human excess and our way of life.”
“We must also pray for the conversion of many people, both inside and outside the Church, who still do not recognise the urgency of caring for our common home,” he said.
Turning to the prepared text of his homily, Pope Leo XIV noted the tranquil setting of the Laudato Si’ Village stands in contrast to the global warming and armed conflicts that afflict our world.
“Yet, at the heart of the Jubilee we confess: there is hope!” he said. “We have encountered it in Jesus, the Saviour of the world. He still, sovereignly, calms the storm.”
Pope Leo said the mission of Christians to care for creation was entrusted to them by the Lord, so that they might bring peace and reconciliation to the troubled world.
He said Pope Francis wanted the Laudato Si’ Village to be “a laboratory” in which to embody harmony with creation, while finding new ways to safeguard nature.
In conclusion, Pope Leo invited Christians to spread harmony throughout the world, drawing inspiration from St Augustine.
“O Lord, your works praise you so that we may love you, and we love you so that your works may praise you.”
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Pope at Mass for Care of Creation: Ecological crisis requires contemplative gaze (By Devin Watkins, Vatican News)
