Pope Leo XIV officially opened on Friday afternoon the Ecological Village (Burgo) Laudato Si ‘in Castel Gandolfo, with a liturgical celebration that highlighted the “vocation” of each person to take care of the creation.
Before celebrating a special liturgy of the word in a greenhouse complex, the Holy Father toured the farm in a golf cart and stopped to greet the staff and students who collaborate in the environmental project inspired by the encyclical laudato if ‘of Pope Francis of 2015.
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In his reflection on the Gospel of St. Matthew, Pope León said that each human person has the great responsibility and privilege of respecting the “creator’s plan.”
“Jesus underlines the special place reserved, in the creative act, to the human being: the most beautiful creature, made in the image and likeness of God,” said the Pope in his brief homily.
“The care of creation, therefore, represents a true vocation for every human being, a commitment to be made within the creation itself, never forgetting that we are creatures between creatures, not creators,” he added.
Speaking of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who initiated the project and the liturgy of Mass for the care of creation, Leo XIV said that the people are a “seed of hope” for those committed to promoting the “ecological conversion” of humanity through education and catechesis.
“It is important, as my predecessor wrote, ‘recovering a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, contemplating the creator, who lives among us and in everything that surrounds us,” said Pope León, citing Francisco’s encyclical.
“The Burgus Laudato Si ‘, which we inaugurate today, is one of the initiatives of the Church aimed at making this’ vocation of being custodians of God’s work,” he said.
The ecological complex includes state -generation, photovoltaic and circular management of water management systems, as well as spaces for educational activities for students.
At the end of the liturgy, Pope León blessed with holy water the faithful and all present in the liturgy.
The Italian singer Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo, who were among the guests to the celebration, offered the Holy Father a song to mark the occasion.
Translated by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA
Kristina Millare
Kristina Millare is an independent journalist with professional experience in communications in the humanitarian aid sector and development, news journalism, entertainment, politics and government, business and entrepreneurship.