The annual celebration, which honors the mystery of Creation, underscores the urgent need for environmental stewardship rooted in faith.
Newsroom (02/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for Christians worldwide to unite on September 1 for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, emphasizing the theme “Seeds of Peace and Hope” and marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The annual celebration, which honors the mystery of Creation, underscores the urgent need for environmental stewardship rooted in faith.
During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the significance of the day, first extended to Catholics a decade ago by Pope Francis. “Together with all Christians, we celebrate it and extend it into the Season of Creation until October 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi,” he said. “In the spirit of the Canticle of Brother Sun, composed 800 years ago, let us praise God and renew our commitment not to spoil His gift, but to care for our common home.”
A Long-Standing Ecumenical Tradition
The World Day of Prayer for Creation, also known as Creation Day, traces its roots to a 5th-century Orthodox liturgical tradition. Established in 1989 by the Orthodox Church, it invites Christians to praise God as Creator, reflect on Creation in Christ, and commit to caring for the environment. The World Council of Churches (WCC), an ecumenical body uniting Orthodox and Protestant communities, recently released a video highlighting the day’s history and significance.
While many Catholic Bishops’ Conferences have observed Creation Day since the 1990s, Pope Francis formally instituted it for the universal Catholic Church in 2015, accompanied by annual messages to inspire action. This year, Pope Leo XIV continued this tradition with a message tying the day to the Jubilee theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.”
‘Seeds of Peace and Hope’ for 2025
In his 2025 message, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the theme “Seeds of Peace and Hope,” first chosen by Pope Francis to mark the tenth anniversary of the day’s Catholic observance and the publication of the encyclical Laudato si’. “For believers, environmental justice is also a duty born of faith, since the universe reflects the face of Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and redeemed,” the Pope said.
Pope Leo XIV recently promulgated a new “Mass for the Care of Creation” formulary, approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship. This innovation allows Catholic communities to celebrate Creation Day liturgically, complementing the ecumenical prayer services traditionally held.
Global Coordination and Ecumenical Collaboration
The World Council of Churches, chaired by Moderator Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, coordinates Creation Day globally in partnership with various Christian communions. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to environmental care, uniting diverse Christian traditions in prayer and action.
As the Season of Creation unfolds, Pope Leo XIV’s call resonates: a summons to sow seeds of peace and hope, nurturing a world that reflects the divine gift of Creation.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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