Overview

• At the opening session, Léon XIV called on citizens to press governments and engage in decision-making at every level, insisting there is no place for indifference.
• The conference seeks to move from moral appeals to urgent measures, with the pope framing environmental protection as a matter of social, economic and anthropological justice.
• Organizers led by Lorna Gold say participants will adopt a renewed commitment in memory of Pope Francis to present to negotiators in Brazil next month.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger urged collective action to stop pollution, spotlighted the Church’s communication reach across 1.4 billion Catholics, and praised efforts to make the Vatican carbon‑neutral through a planned solar project.
• Speakers include Brazil’s environment minister Marina Silva alongside global experts as attendees cite rising emissions and the need for roughly 50% cuts by decade’s end to align with the Paris Agreement.