This month, Catholic communities across the United States and the globe are celebrating a profound milestone: the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology and care for our common home. To mark this occasion, Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si’ Movement North America are celebrating Laudato Si’ Week 2025, a powerful moment of reflection, action, and hope.

When Pope Francis released Laudato Si’ in May 2015, he did more than offer a Church document — he issued a call to Christians around the world. With wisdom rooted in Scripture, tradition, and modern science, Laudato Si’ invited us into an “ecological conversion,” urging all people of goodwill to see the earth not as a resource to exploit, but as a sacred gift to cherish.

Over the past 10 years, Laudato Si’ has inspired parishes to go solar, dioceses to divest from fossil fuels, and countless Catholics to live more simply, advocate for climate justice, and engage in creation care ministries. In schools, homes, convents, and even Congress, the encyclical has echoed: “Everything is connected.”

Laudato Si’ Week (May 24-31)

This year’s Laudato Si’ Week (May 24-31, 2025) centers on the theme: “Raising Hope.” It’s a time to recognize how far we’ve come, recommit to bold action, and deepen our faith-driven response to the climate crisis.

Events include prayer services and Masses rooted in creation themes, and educational webinars on faith, climate science, and advocacy. We’re also encouraging community projects like tree planting, river cleanups, and sustainable gardening, as well as faithful advocacy, calling on leaders to uphold climate commitments, protect vulnerable communities, and invest in renewable energy. 

Catholics can also celebrate by getting involved in the Pilgrims of Hope for Creation effort — a special initiative encouraging Catholics to take a pilgrimage to a natural landmark of environmental justice site in their community. These pilgrimages are set to take place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, known as the Season of Creation, to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures. Over 22 Catholic and creation care organizations have stepped up to be part of this initiative, including Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si’ Movement. 

What can you do?

Laudato Si’ isn’t just about the environment — it’s about justice. It builds on Catholic Social Teaching, calling for:

  • Care for creation as an act of love for God and neighbor.
  • Solidarity with the poor, who suffer most from environmental harm.
  • The common good, where every person can thrive in harmony with creation.
  • Intergenerational justice, protecting the earth for future generations.

These values are more urgent than ever, as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution threaten the dignity of life — especially for the world’s most vulnerable. The 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ is not only a moment to celebrate—it’s a moment to commit.

  • Pray: Offer intentions for creation during Mass or personal prayer.
  • Learn: Host a study group on Laudato Si’ or the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
  • Advocate: Contact local, state, or national leaders to support policies that protect the climate and promote justice.
  • Act: Reduce energy use, support local farms, use public transit, and join creation care teams.

A Laudato Si’ Week prayer

Laudato Si’ to you, loving Creator God!
From you, all good things flow and bloom.
Praise be also for the prophetic life of your servant Pope Francis,
who steadfastly urged us to hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth!

Today, our minds and hearts are open to those cries.
We hear the loud cry of the poor and vulnerable.
We hear the choking cry of our brothers and sisters living in polluted and unhealthy places.
We hear the pleading cry of migrants and refugees seeking a home with peace and dignity.
We hear the desperate cry of climate-displaced communities; of the people of small island nations and low-lying areas watching their homes disappear, of neighbors losing all to fire or flood.
We hear the soul-filled cry of farmworkers poisoned by pesticides or overcome by heat.
We hear the urgent cry of children lacking clean water and safe shelter due to poverty or war.
We hear, oh God, we hear!

We hear the cries of your Creation groaning in travail.
We hear the roaring cry of forests disappearing by fire or saw.
We hear the tearful cry of rivers drying up, overflowing, changing course.
We hear the haunting cries of our fellow creatures as their homes are mined, exploited, polluted.
We hear the mighty cry of the oceans as more plastics and less life become the norm.
We hear the swishing cry of the air as pollution takes its toll.
We hear, oh God, we hear!

Yet it is not enough to only hear these cries.
You call us to love abundantly, take action, and live Laudato Si’!
Help us God, to courageously and urgently confront the consequences of our neglect and abuse of creation; to radically change our ways and live in peace with each other and creation.
Fill us with your strength so we may soothe the cries of the poor and of the Earth and be true protectors and redeemers of the vulnerable, the oppressed, and of all creation.
Give us your grace so we may become fruitful seeds of peace and hope that will sprout and welcome your kindom on Earth. 

We pray through Christ our Lord, under the loving gaze of the Blessed Mother and your faithful servant, Pope Francis.

Amen.

Resources

As we honor this 10-year journey, let us renew our faith, our hope, and our love — for God, for each other, and for our common home. Happy Laudato Si’ Week!