By Laudato Voices:
Ten Years After Laudato Si’, Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Its Global Impact—And Urges Us Not to Lose Heart. “It has had an extraordinary impact… teaching everyone to listen.”— Pope Leo XIV, Regina Caeli, May 25, 2025
A Decade of Transformation Since Laudato Si’
Ten years ago, Laudato Si’ ignited a global ecological awakening. Issued by Pope Francis in 2015, the landmark encyclical called for “care for our common home” and placed the Church at the heart of the climate conversation. It invited all people, across faiths and borders, to hear both “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si, 2015, para. 49). Now, a decade later, Pope Leo XIV has taken up the mantle. Speaking during the Regina Caeli on May 25, 2025, he declared:
“It has had an extraordinary impact… teaching everyone to listen” (Pope Leo XIV, 2025).
But his message wasn’t just celebratory, it was a call to continue. Listen deeper. Act bolder. Love more radically.
The Legacy Lives On: Laudato Youth Rising for Climate Action
You may agree with us one of the most powerful fruits of Laudato Si’ is the rise of the Laudato Youth Initiative, African young people leading ecological conversion from within faith communities with formation of Laudato Si Clubs in schools, universities, parishes, dioceses and communities. The Laudato Youth Initiative, a Catholic youth-led intiative rooted in Pope Francis’ vision, is raising a new generation of Laudato Youth, seeding young leaders to respond to the ecological crisis through: Building Laudato Si Clubs to foster
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Prayer and ecological spirituality
• Scientific innovation – Research embeded in African Wisdom
• Integral ecology education
• Faith-driven action across Uganda and beyond
Brother Adolf, a mentor and founder of the initiatve, shared passionately: “We are the generation that must act. Pope Francis gave us the vision. Pope Leo XIV is now urging us to go further. We are here to answer that call” (Brother Adolf, personal communication, May 29, 2025).
From Uganda to the World: Faith in Action
Across Uganda, Kenya, and beyond, Laudato Si’ Clubs are transforming schools, parishes, and communities. During the month of May we planted a few seeds of hope to inginite our efforts as pilgrims of green hope:
• In Fort Portal, over 5,000 youth gathered at the Pilgrims of Green Hope rally, echoing the message of ecological renewal.
• At St. Adolf Holy Cross Parish, Kayabachope, youth are becoming eco-farmers through hands-on training in sustainable agriculture.
– Laudato Si Mass – Open Air Eco Mass
• In Jinja, Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S is preparing to host the Laudato Festival our yearly signature event, a celebration of faith and action that unites hundreds of students and the civil society for action and dialogue.
These are not isolated events. They are part of a growing initiative a spiritual ecology rooted in African values, Christian identity, and synodal action where young people are not just heard, but empowered.
Partnering for Impact: Building Climate Resilience Together
To walk this path, the Laudato Youth Initiative is building meaningful collaborations—with organizations like:
• Avail Fruits of Faith Farm (empowering youth in agriculture)
• Bethany Land Institute (promoting ecological education and forming youth leaders in research and integral ecology )
• John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre (advancing Catholic social teaching and integration of Justice and peace in ecology)
We are also pioneering a renewed effort of amplifying voices for the spirituality of Uganda Martyrs and how it is inspiring our ecological efforts reflecting on the work of St. Adolf Mukasa Rudigo; the St. Francis of Uganda. These partnerships and our spiritual heritage of the Uganda Martyrs are nurturing faith-based climate resilience—using prayer, science, and sustainable farming to tackle water, food security, and biodiversity loss. For us this is how faith becomes action. How Laudato Si’ becomes life and how we hope to embrace a renewed commitment to impact our common home by Uniting young people for Climate Action.
A Global Platform for Ecological Conversion
Central to this movement is the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, a global roadmap to sustainability for parishes, schools, families, and religious institutions.
Pope Leo XIV, in his Regina Caeli address, reaffirmed its urgency:
“The Action Platform shows that care for creation is not an option—it is a duty of love” (Pope Leo XIV, 2025).
As Laudato Youth, we draw strength and structure from this platform. It anchors our local actions in a global mission—to unite hearts and hands for the Earth and the poor.
Forward With Courage and Care
As the world reflects on a decade since Laudato Si’, we are reminded of Pope Francis’ challenge:
“Many things have to change course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change” (Francis, 2015, para. 202).
And now Pope Leo XIV echoes that call:
“Let us honor the path we’ve walked—but do not stop walking. Let us act with courage and care—for the Earth, for the poor, for the future” (Pope Leo XIV, 2025).
The Way Ahead: Integral Ecology Rooted in Faith
For the Laudato Youth Initiative, walking this path means:
• Centering integral ecology in education
• Embracing faith-based and nature-based solutions
• Promoting African ecological spirituality
• Investing in research for climate-resilient action
• Amplifying the voices of young people in Church and society
We walk with courage because the Earth is not just our home—it is God’s gift. And we walk in hope, trusting that the seeds we plant today will bloom in generations to come.
May the intercession of St. Adolf Ludigo guide our steps, and may God bless our hands as we care for creation.
References
Francis. (2015). Laudato Si’: On care for our common home. Vatican Publishing House. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
Pope Leo XIV. (2025, May 25). Regina Caeli address. Vatican Media.
Brother Adolf. (2025, May 29). Personal communication.
