Laudato Voices | 01 September, 2026 | Mass for the Care of CreationPope Leo XIV stated on Tuesday, “It is not yet too late” to change course and redirect what has been used for destruction toward life. He urged Christians to express ecological conversion and universal fraternity by caring for creation and the poor. On 1 September, Pope Leo celebrated Mass at the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo to mark the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the start of the Season of Creation. He invited the faithful to contemplate the beauty of nature and recognize the Creator. In the gardens of the Laudato Si’ Village, he said, this invitation to contemplate creation is particularly fitting.
“It would be superficial to marvel at fire, wind, rushing waters or the stars of heaven, without allowing our gaze to rise to the Creator of such wonders,” he said.
Listen to the ‘melodious voice’ of creation
The Pope encouraged attendees to step back from daily distractions and rediscover their place in creation’s harmony. He noted that the Season of Creation offers an opportunity to pause and recognize humanity’s role in God’s creation. “Let us place in ‘silent mode’ the many noises generated by human activity,” Pope Leo said, “so that we may hear the melodious voice of creation, through which God, the Author of all things, speaks to us.” The Pope explained that contemplation goes beyond appreciating nature; it initiates an encounter with God that can transform how people relate to creation.
It is the first step, he said, towards an “authentic ecological conversion”, in which the effects of an encounter with Jesus Christ become visible in humanity’s relationship with the world.
Contemplating Creation is a shared responsibility that must unite us for action
Pope Leo said that contemplating creation and encountering its Creator leads to a deeper awareness of humanity’s place in God’s plan and the responsibilities that come with it.
That responsibility is both personal and collective, he said.
“As we become conscious of our shortcomings and failures,” he continued, “we can renew our commitment to restoring the relationships among all creatures according to the will of their Creator.”
The Pope highlighted a central theme of this year’s World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: transforming instruments of destruction into tools that sustain life.
He referred to the biblical prophecy to “beat swords into ploughshares,” which is also the theme of his message for the World Day, and called for efforts to “transform harm into life.”“It is not yet too late,” Pope Leo insisted.
He stated, “What has been used for destruction can be redirected toward life, toward the care of the poor, the nourishment of the hungry, and the safeguarding of creation.”
Following the example of Saint Francis
The Season of Creation will conclude on 4 October, when the Church commemorates the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Pope Leo noted that Pope Francis was inspired by Saint Francis when writing Laudato Si’ and establishing the Laudato Si’ Village, where the Mass took place.
Pope Leo invited the faithful to unite spiritually with the “Little poor man of Assisi” and referenced the Canticle of the Creatures, where Saint Francis praises God through the elements of nature.
“With Saint Francis,” he said, “let us renew our commitment to living and promoting that universal fraternity which is inseparably bound to the task of caring for creation.”
