Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative promoting integral ecology

Recognizing the importance of authentic human ecology, the Season of Creation is an opportunity to join the many efforts of Christians and of people of good will around the world who are working for ecological conversion. 

The Season of Creation is an ecumenical initiative celebrated every year from September 1 to October 4 (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) and promoted and supported by various organizations, including the Laudato Si’ Movement, the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, and the Anglican Communion.

The theme of the Season of Creation 2025 is “Peace with Creation” and, as every year, the Laudato Si’ Movement has prepared a Celebration Guide. 

In 1989, Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed September 1 as the Day of Prayer for Creation for Orthodox Christians.

Subsequently, the World Council of Churches (WCC) extended the celebration until October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. 

In recent years, the Catholic Church has encouraged all people to embrace ecological conversion and to participate in the initiatives of this ecumenical season.  

In 2015, Pope Francis published the encyclical Laudato Si’ and soon after instituted in the Catholic Church the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation”.

Since then, the Holy Father has published a message for this World Day every year.The theme for 2025 is: “Seeds of Peace and Hope”.

Continuing in this vein, Pope Leo XIV approved the Mass for the Care of Creation (Missa pro custodia creationis) and celebrated this votive Mass himself on July 9 at Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo.