Pope Leo XIV Introduces Mass for Environmental Care

Pope Leo XIV has unveiled a new Mass focused on environmental stewardship, reinforcing the Catholic Church's ongoing dedication to climate action and social justice.

The Vatican recently announced the introduction of a new Mass titled “Mass for the Care of Creation.” This liturgical rite is designed to inspire the faithful to seek divine assistance in caring for the environment, signifying a continued commitment by the Roman Catholic Church to address ecological concerns. The initiative has been championed by Pope Leo XIV, who seeks to build upon the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Pope Francis, renowned for weaving environmental advocacy into the Church's mission.

Cardinal Michael Czerny presented the new Mass, which links directly to Pope Francis’ pivotal encyclical from 2015, “Laudato Si’” (Praise Be To You), which emphasized the pressing need for environmental stewardship. The cardinal remarked, “With this Mass, the Church is offering liturgical, spiritual and communal support for the care we all need to exercise of nature, our common home.”

The launch of the Mass coincides with an upcoming prayer day on September 1, for the “care of creation.” In his address, Pope Leo conveyed urgent concerns regarding environmental degradation, stating, “The evidence in various parts of the world that our earth is being ravaged.” He emphasized that “environmental justice” must not be seen as a distant aspiration but as an immediate requirement intertwined with social and economic justice.

The creation of this new Mass embodies the Church’s response to numerous calls for a formal liturgical expression reflecting the spirit and aims of “Laudato Si’.” It serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility towards our planet and encourages congregations to actively engage in environmental preservation.