On 24 May we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si', the text with which Pope Francis called humanity to care for the common home, interweaving ecology, social justice and spirituality. This encyclical has had an unprecedented impact on the global collective consciousness, drawing the attention of the civil world to the urgency of an integral ecological conversion. Ten years after its publication, the Church around the world is mobilizing with events, moments of prayer, concrete actions and awareness-raising initiatives to celebrate this important anniversary and renew its commitment to urgent and profound change.
As Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of DSSUI, said in a recent interview: "In the context of the Jubilee of Hope 2025, this tenth anniversary will be a time to celebrate what has been achieved and to give thanks to God. A time to promote the encyclical among Catholics and people of all faiths who do not know it. A time to mourn - and struggle - with those who suffer, marginalised or impoverished, because of the damage inflicted on the Earth and unjust economic mechanisms."
Issued in 2015 by Pope Francis, the Encyclical Laudato Si' is still very relevant, denouncing environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, pollution and climate change, as well as the looming social crisis. The need for the immediate and active use of a sustainable model, that is both innovative and supportive, resonates stronger than ever.
This decade has seen the birth of many global initiatives, such as the Laudato Si’ Movement, a network of Catholics walking together in synodality and communion with the universal church towards a path of ecological conversion. Guided by the spirit of subsidiarity, they pursue the mission: to care for our common home.
In this same vein, the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development launched in 2021 the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, to concretely accompany participants on a sustainable path through goals inspired by the encyclical. The platform offers Catholic institutions and organisations numerous resources, good practices and pathways to implement the principles of integral ecology on a daily basis. An update of the website and a new certification programme for institutions has been launched these days, through which the active participation of users in the Laudato Si’ Initiative Platform is publicly recognised.
The 10th anniversary is therefore a unique opportunity to relaunch the commitment to our common home, a mission in which we are all called to actively participate, also in view of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, on 1 September 2025.
Visit the Raisinghope website to participate and share the initiatives launched on the occasion of the 10th anniversary, or register your ecological project on the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, to continue building together a more just and sustainable future in the light of Laudato Si'.
Among the initiatives to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si', we also highlight a webinar organised by the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in collaboration with UISG/USG entitled “Raising Hope for a Reconciled Creation”, on 29 May at 3 p.m. (CET).