Pope Leo XIV marked the beginning of Laudato Si’ Week by renewing the Church’s call to care for creation and to work for peace. Speaking before the Regina Caeli on Sunday, the Holy Father reflected on the lasting importance of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, which continues to inspire Catholics around the world to take responsibility for the care of our common home.

Observed each year from May 17 through May 24, Laudato Si’ Week encourages individuals, families, and communities to move beyond discussion and put their concern for creation into action. Pope Leo praised the efforts of the Laudato Si’ Movement and all those dedicated to what the Church calls “integral ecology,” an approach that recognizes the connection between care for the environment, respect for human dignity, and the pursuit of peace.

The Holy Father also connected this year’s observance to the Jubilee marking 800 years since the death of St. Francis of Assisi. He pointed to the saint as a model of harmony with God, neighbor, and creation. St. Francis’ witness, the Pope explained, reminds Christians that peace is not limited to the absence of war, but flows from right relationships rooted in charity and respect for life.

Pope Leo lamented that ongoing wars and conflicts around the world have slowed progress in caring for creation. Violence and instability, he noted, often place human lives and the environment at risk, while diverting attention away from the responsibility to protect God’s gifts.

The Pope concluded with a simple but direct reminder that peace and the protection of life are inseparable. Efforts to build peace, care for the vulnerable, and safeguard creation all belong to the same Christian mission. As Catholics continue observing Laudato Si’ Week, the Holy Father encouraged the faithful to renew their commitment to living responsibly, seeking reconciliation, and honoring the Creator through care for His creation.