EarthBeat Weekly: Pope Leo XIV inaugurates eco-center begun by Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV inaugurates eco-center begun by Pope Francis EarthBeat Weekly Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change September 5, 2025 This photograph shows a section of the Pontifical Gardens in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Sept. 2, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) In another show of continuity with Pope Francis' prioritization of integral ecology and care for the Earth, Pope Leo XIV on Friday morning inaugurated Borgo Laudato Si', an ecology center on Vatican property south of Rome at Castel Gandolfo. In short, the center is an effort to bring the message of Laudato Si' to life in concrete ways both within and outside of the church, reports NCR Vatican correspondent Justin McLellan. It seeks to be a "tangible, touchable example of the principles of Laudato Si'," said Cardinal Fabio Baggio, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and director general of the initiative. Planned programming includes options for everyone from school students to business executives, tourists and migrants.  Salesian Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, secretary of the dicastery and board member of the center, said that "The way for this formation center is that it becomes a place of engagement and, we hope, of change also among business leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs." And Fr. Manuel Dorantes, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and administrative management director of the center, thinks it can be "an inspiration to church leaders who also have property in their care," and "a new path of evangelization" for young people passionate about environmental justice. There have already been requests from dioceses in several countries around the world to replicate the project, according to organizers. (Though none noted from the United States, at least not yet.) Read more: Legacy of 'green' papal teaching to take root at Vatican ecology center     What else is new on EarthBeat:   All creation gives praise: Seeking God — and wonder — in the cosmos by Leonard J. DeLorenzo, OSV News The fullness and intensity of the Lord of the cosmos — through whom, with whom, and in whom all that is, is — is made present to us under the appearance of simple bread and wine of the altar. Everything that exists serves as the backdrop for that which is most wonderful and surprising of all: God comes to us.   Pope's prayer for September: Respecting, protecting God's creation by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service In the video released by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, Leo recites his own prayer linking the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of Creation and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home."   Considering war and peace during the Season of Creation by Daniel P. Horan We might take the Season of Creation as an opportunity not only for an examination of conscience, but also a time to meditate on war and peace in the human community, the cosmic community of creation and even in our own hearts.   Take a treeish point of view on this year's Season of Creation by Tobias Winright To learn how to be seeds of peace and hope, consider the trees, which take a long time to grow and mature. They are seeds of peace and hope, too, "pointing to," as Pope Leo says, "the promise of new beginnings."   Minnesota family stewards God's land into a rustic retreat for Catholic renewal by Amber Walling, The Central Minnesota Catholic, OSV News Molly Zimmerman understands that pumping porta-potties, grooming trails and coordinating hundreds of volunteers isn't how everyone is called to cultivate their God-given gifts, but it's how she has been called — hesitantly and full of worry, at times — to cultivate hers.   This 72-year-old vegan, weight-lifting nun is winning awards and turning heads by Erin Edwards A winding life of curiosity led Dominican Sister Pat Farrell to religious life, a vegan diet and powerlifting. The Californian won her weight class for bench pressing 77 pounds and deadlifting more than her body weight.   What's happening in other climate news: White House orders agencies to escalate fight against offshore wind —Maxine Joselow, Lisa Friedman and Brad Plumer for The New York Times Scientists denounce Trump administration's climate report —Jake Bolster for Inside Climate News Judges say EPA can take back billions in climate grants —Jean Chemnick for E&E News Workers are facing dangerous heat — even inside fast-food restaurants —Frida Garza for Grist Explosion at Louisiana oil plant leaves Black community coated in toxic fallout —Adam Mahoney for Capital B Underestimating support for climate action limits political decision making, study says —Andy Deng for The Guardian Everything is romantic: Embracing an ecology of love —Willow Defebaugh for Atmos   Final Beat: To mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has published a report summarizing activities undertaken by national Catholic organizations during the decade since the release of the papal teaching document. It aims to celebrate the diverse ways U.S. Catholics have responded to Laudato Si', highlighting the work of the USCCB, Catholic Climate Covenant, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, Catholic Health Association, Saint Vincent DePaul and Catholic Rural Life. See the full "Summary of Activities of the U.S. Church in Response to Laudato Si’" at usccb.org. Thanks for reading EarthBeat. Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org     Featured Advertisers   Enroll in one of our mini-courses to deepen your understanding of Buddhism, Protestantism, and the Resurrection — the bedrock of Christian faith.    Advertisement