Skip to content

The 5 Week ‘Season of Creation’ Begins at the Vatican

A Call for Environmental Responsibility

The Vatican has launched its annual “Season of Creation,” a five-week initiative aimed at emphasizing the importance of caring for the planet and its resources. To shed light on this significant event, we interviewed Christina Leaño, Associate Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement.

Christina, thank you for being here today. Can you provide more insights into the Season of Creation and its theme?

Christina Leaño: “The Season of Creation is a month-long celebration that begins on September 1st, the Feast of Creation, and culminates on October 4th, the Feast of Saint Francis. It’s a global Christian observance where we acknowledge God as our Creator and recognize our Christian duty to care for the environment. This year’s theme is ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow,’ symbolized by the mighty river, drawing inspiration from the scripture of Amos, ‘Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.'”

We also know that this season coincides with the announcement of a new publication by Pope Francis updating his encyclical Laudato Si’. What are your expectations for this release, and what significance does it hold for the movement?

Christina Leaño:  “We are truly humbled and profoundly thankful for this upcoming release by Pope Francis. It’s quite remarkable that just eight years after the encyclical, he’s delivering an Apostolic Exhortation. While it doesn’t carry the same level of authority as an encyclical, it remains a magisterial document. Given the pope’s recent messages during the Season of Creation, we anticipate he’ll address the urgency of the climate crisis. With the wildfires, unprecedented heatwaves, and ongoing global challenges, the pope’s motivation seems to be driven by the dire realities we face, calling for accelerated action.”

Before we conclude, could you share more about the Laudato Si’ Movement’s campaign to pray and act for climate justice in the lead-up to COP28?

Christina Leaño:  “Certainly. We’re urging everyone to pray for government leaders participating in COP28 as they work towards transitioning away from fossil fuels and assisting climate justice victims. We invite people, especially those in regions affected by climate injustice, to use the hashtag #PrayingForYou on social media to show their support and solidarity.”

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pontifical universities in Rome host conference on legacy of St. John Paul II

The Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education is sponsoring a four-day event in Rome to honor the spiritual and intellectual legacy of Pope Saint John Paul II while marking the 25th anniversary of his encyclical Fides et Ratio.

Pope Leo XIV marks moon landing anniversary with call to U.S. astronaut Buzz Aldrin

Pope Leo XIV marked the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a video call to U.S. astronaut Buzz Aldrin and a visit to the Vatican Observatory, located on the papal estate of Castel Gandolfo, where he has been staying for two weeks.

Pope Francis: “Cardinal Pell, faithful servant to the Lord even in the hour of trial”

I remember with a grateful heart his consistent and committed witness, his dedication to the Gospel and the

Remembering the Blessed Judge Rosario Livatino: A Martyr in the Fight Against the Mafia

On January 21, 2023, a pilgrimage in honor of judge Rosario Angelo Livatino was held in Rome. Livatino,

Pope Francis adds Coptic Orthodox martyrs to liturgical book of saints

Pope Francis receives relics of the Coptic martyrs from Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, May 11, 2023. Pope Francis also announced that the 21 men will be added to the Church’s official list of saints.

Greccio – The Birthplace of the First Nativity Scene in the History of the Catholic Church

Located at the heart of Italy’s Apennine mountains, surrounded by oak forests, the town of Greccio is perched

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it