Pope Leo XIV urges care for Earth and water in September prayer

Pope Leo XIV held a special Mass for the environment on Tuesday, urging the faithful to listen to the "melodious voice of creation" and condemning the destruction caused by wars. The ceremony took place in the gardens of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. In his homily, the pope called for a moment of reflection to set aside human-generated noise. "Let us place in silent mode the many noises generated by human activity so that we may hear the melodious voice of creation," he said. He expressed hope that this would foster a greater awareness of the personal and collective responsibility to preserve the planet's "original harmony." In a written message accompanying the Mass, Pope Leo urged followers to "cherish the Earth" and highlighted the connection between armed conflict and environmental damage. He described a "vicious cycle" between the two, stating that they are "not unrelated" but rather "a single plea for healing and peace arising from a wounded world." This event aligns with the pope's consistent emphasis on environmental protection.