FAITH AND ECOLOGY

 

DICASTERY FOR PROMOTING INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT VATICAN

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MISSION: The Dicastery promotes the integral development of the person in light of the Gospel and in line with the Social Doctrine of the Church.

It dedicates particular attention to taking care of the goods of justice, peace and the safeguarding of Creation, as well as issues regarding disarmament, human rights, human mobility, health, charitable works, expressing the concern and attention of the Pope towards a humanity that suffers, among whom are the needy, the ill and the excluded.

In addition, the Dicastery follows issues regarding the necessities of those who are forced to abandon their own countries or those who are without one, the marginalized, the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters, prisoners, the unemployed and victims of contemporary forms of slavery and torture and other people whose dignity is at risk.

The Dicastery promotes its activities by means of a network of interactions that involve local Churches, Episcopal Conferences, the other organs of the Roman Curia, the international organizations (both Catholic and non-Catholic), the relations with governments and supranational organizations.

FROM THE VATICAN

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE LEO XIV
FOR THE 10th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 2025

[1 September 2025]

________________________________

Seeds of Peace and Hope

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The theme of this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, chosen by our beloved Pope Francis, is “Seeds of Peace and Hope”. On the tenth anniversary of the establishment of this Day of Prayer, which coincided with the publication of the Encyclical Laudato Si’, we find ourselves celebrating the present Jubilee as “Pilgrims of Hope.” This year’s theme thus appears most timely. 

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APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
 DILEXI TE
 OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
 TO ALL CHRISTIANS
 ON LOVE FOR THE POOR

_____________________

Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 4 October, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the year 2025, the first of my Pontificate. LEO PP. XIV

1. “I HAVE LOVED YOU” (Rev 3:9). The Lord speaks these words to a Christian community that, unlike some others, had no influence or resources, and was treated instead with violence and contempt: “You have but little power… I will make them come and bow down before your feet” (Rev 3:8-9). This text reminds us of the words of the canticle of Mary: “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty” (Lk 1:52-53).

2. This declaration of love, taken from the Book of Revelation, reflects the inexhaustible mystery that Pope Francis reflected upon in the Encyclical Dilexit Nos on the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ. There we saw how Jesus identified himself “with the lowest ranks of society” and how, with his love poured out to the end, he confirms the dignity of every human being, especially when “they are weak, scorned, or suffering.” [1] As we contemplate Christ’s love, “we too are inspired to be more attentive to the sufferings and needs of others, and confirmed in our efforts to share in his work of liberation as instruments for the spread of his love.” [2]

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Creation Care, Ecology, Laudato si: Learn, Act Reflect

A Catholic response to the call of Laudato Si’ — to care for our common home with faith, action, and hope.

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development was created on August 17, 2016 from the union of four Pontifical Councils, according to the wishes that our Holy Father Pope Francis expressed in his Apostolic Letter, under the form of a Motu Proprio, Humanam Progressionem.

The four Councils are the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.

The new Dicastery is called to express the Church’s solicitude in the fields of justice, peace, the safeguarding of all of Creation, as well as in those that concern health and works of charity.

Ecology - Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

Learn & Reflect

We invite you to explore the spiritual and moral foundations of ecological care in our Catholic tradition.
Includes:

Pope Francis, Laudato Si, Praise be to You, on Care of our Common Home, Encyclical Letter, May 2015

Pope Francis, Laudate Deum. Apostolic Exhortation to all people of good will on the climate crisis, October 2023

 

New Mass Formulary: For the Care of Creation

His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV has approved a new Mass formulary for the Roman Missal and ordered that it be promulgated. Missa pro Custodia Creationis (“For the Care of Creation”) will be added as a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions.

In a July 3 press conference, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J.  (Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Human Development) and Msgr. Vittorio Francesco Viloa, OFM (Secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments) announced the release of this addition to the Roman Missal.  Cardinal Czerny spoke of the history behind and the rationale for the Mass formulary and Msgr. Viola walked through the texts and the readings. The Prefect of the DPIHD added that the Mass for the Care of Creation “calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us—in our daily choices and in public policy, as well as in prayer, worship, and the way we live in the world.”

The complete, forty-two minute video of this press conference may be found here. English translation is provided.

As is typical, the Mass texts have been released in Latin.  Of course, it is the right and duty of episcopal conferences throughout the world to provide the official translation, but the  DDWDS has released some working translations in order to make the work of translation easier. https://fdlc.org/2025/07/new-mass-formulary-for-the-care-of-creation/

 

FROM THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

  • In October and November 2022, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)'s Office for Evangelization and Catechesis hosted a webinar series, titled Special Topics in Evangelization and Catechesis, inviting leaders of catechesis and evangelization to participate in a national discussion on special topics of interest to evangelizers and catechists today. A call to take stock and reflect on the challenges of today, the four recorded sessions of the Special Topics webinar series provide starting points for:

    • Discussion on our call to be missionary disciples;
    • Reflection on synodality in ministry;
    • Conversation about Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Canada and solidarity with Indigenous peoples;
    • Reflection on our call to be stewards of Creation. ( linked below is Session 4: Creation as a Source of Life and Our Call to Care for It) with Fr. John MCCarthy, SJ

Session 4: Creation as a Source of Life and Our Call to Care for It

Keynote: Fr. John McCarthy, SJ

Reflection Guide

  1. How does the Trinity call us to a depth of relationship with Creation?
  2. How does our care for Creation unite us to the Trinity?
  3. What are some examples of valuable facets of Creation, local to me, which are at risk of disappearing because of their other potential ‘uses’? (eg. forests, bodies of water, etc.)
  4. Pope Francis tells us that “if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously” (LS’ 11).

What are some examples in my life of closeness that result in spontaneous sobriety and care?

How might I concretely extend this kind of thoughtfulness and care to Creation in my home, in my community, in the world?

  1. Fr. McCarthy reminds us that the “loss of boundaries unsettles us” because “without an ‘outside’ there is no ‘inside’ in which to dwell”.

What habitats or protected places are important to me?

How might I more fully embrace these places as they exist in Creation around me?

  1. Fr. McCarthy tells us that “care for nature implies a rootedness” and that “nature is a place and a purveyor of meaning.” Further, Pope Francis tells us, “Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise” (LS’ 12).

Is my knowledge of nature knowledge about nature (abstract, objective, generalizable, or expert knowledge) or is it place-based knowledge of nature (subjective, bodily, living, sensing)?

How can I foster place-based knowledge of nature? How can I contemplate the joyful mystery of Creation with gladness and praise?

ADDITIONAL LINKS

 Catholic Partners in Action 

Discover Catholic organizations leading the way in ecological conversion and climate justice.

Parish Toolkit

 Contact us for resources to help your parish community live out integral ecology.
Includes:

  • Eco-friendly event planning tips

  • Green audit checklists for parish buildings

  • Bulletin inserts and liturgical resources

  • Seasonal creation care initiatives (e.g. Season of Creation)

Grow in Action

 Contact us for practical ways to integrate faith and ecology into everyday life.
Includes:

  • Lifestyle changes inspired by Laudato Si’

  • Study groups and faith formation resources

  • Stories of ecological action from other parishes and individuals

  • Campaigns and petitions you can support

Events & News

Contact us for ways to stay connected to current initiatives in our parish, diocese, and beyond.

  • Upcoming events and workshops

  • Local eco-initiatives

  • Diocesan and global Catholic ecology news

A Message from the Catholic Episcopal Conferences and Councils of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Carribbean on the Occasion of COP30.  June 2025. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TBoG7aoqzkvqeCZ56BED-y86YepHktIF/view?pli=1

Antiqua et Nova, Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, January 2025

https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html

 

 

 

“Events and Ways to Get Involved”

  • “Season of Creation,” an ecumenical initiative to be celebrated from 1 September to 4 October 2025.

        website: Season of Creation

  • Diocesan ecology events and prayer services

  • Volunteer opportunities and clean-up days

  • Global Catholic events (e.g., Laudato Si’ Week)


Faith Education