The European Laudato Si’ Alliance joined faith leaders, civil society, and Church representatives at the Raising Hope Conference to renew the call for ecological conversion and climate justice.
Exactly one month ago, from 1 to 3 October, over a thousand participants from more than 80 countries gathered in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, for the landmark Raising Hope Conference, which marked the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’. Attendees included Pope Francis, global policymakers, and faith and civil society leaders. The gathering offered an opportunity to reflect on the achievements since the publication of the encyclical, and the work that remains to be done to care for our common home.
Pope Leo’s appeal to “return to the heart” set the tone for the entire conference, reminding participants that true ecological conversion begins with inner transformation — a shift that connects reason, compassion, and responsibility.
The European Laudato Si’ Alliance helped bring a strong European voice to the conversation on faith and ecology. On the first day of the conference, ELSiA co-hosted the session “Europe’s Ecological Journey: Taking Stock and Advancing Laudato Si’”, facilitated by Laura Morosini of the Laudato Si’ Movement.
The panel — featuring Cardinal Nemet (CCEE), Maria Nyman (Caritas Europa), Filipe Martins SJ (JESC), Maria Hammershøy (Justice and Peace Europe), and Dr. Roland Daw (University of St. Mary, UK) — explored how Laudato Si’ has inspired change across Europe and how faith communities can continue advancing ecological conversion amid current social, political, and environmental challenges.
“The Raising Hope event has deeply moved me. Pope Leo’s call for a return to the heart, where true ecological conversion begins, resonates with me, reminding us of the profound connection between faith, care for creation, social justice, and freedom. For us at Caritas, Laudato Si’ remains at the heart of the Church’s mission, guiding our action: the climate crisis is one of the most important root causes of poverty. Through collective wisdom and action, as individual organisations and together as ELSiA, we must continue the journey of ecological conversion. It is a journey of hope and freedom.”
— Maria Nyman, Director of Caritas Europa
Beyond the plenaries and panels, the conference was an encounter — a moment for ELSiA members and partners to meet, reconnect, and renew their shared mission. Many participants described it as an experience of communion and courage, reminding everyone that hope grows when shared in community.
“One of the main takeaways of this conference is the people — the meetings, the encounters. It lifts your heart to run into so many colleagues and allies, to hear from one another and create solidarity. Hope is hard to raise on your own, but when you’re in community, when you’re with others, you can actually transmit that courage and faith to each other.”
— Josianne Gauthier, Secretary General of CIDSE
For many, the conference renewed their sense of purpose and responsibility in responding to “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.” Pope Leo’s challenging question — “What will our answer be?” — echoed throughout the discussions and continues to motivate ELSiA’s ongoing work at the European level.
“Pope Leo’s question — ‘What will be our answer?’ — has stayed with me since the conference and remains a source of commitment, even when things seem to advance too slowly. ‘Giving up’ is not an option. It fills me with joy that so many people and partners, here in Brussels and worldwide, as seen in Castel Gandolfo, feel and work for the same hope.”
— Filipe Martins SJ, Director of Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC)
The theme of hope was not only spiritual but also practical. For Pax Christi International, newest member of the ELSiA network, the conference offered a moment to share concrete experiences of how nonviolence and faith-based peacebuilding can defend life and the planet.
“The experience at the Raising Hope Conference and the many conversations in the working groups showed a deep interest in the strategies and tools of active nonviolence to organise hope, protect those who guard Creation from extractive violence, and build bridges of life. The broad experience of Pax Christi accompanying and supporting communities in the Global South through active nonviolence was deeply appreciated during the conversations.”
— Nicolás Paz, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative at Pax Christi International
This perspective of nonviolence — as both a method and a spirituality — resonated with Laudato Si’’s call for integral ecology, highlighting that ecological conversion must be rooted in peace, justice, and solidarity.
The final day of Raising Hope was marked by symbolic gestures of unity — most memorably, the melting of the Greenland ice blessed by Pope Leo, whose water participants carried home as a sign of hope. For ELSiA, the conference reaffirmed the power of shared faith and action in Europe’s ecological transition.
“This conference reminded us that we are not alone in this mission. The energy, the dialogue, and the faith shared here give us strength to continue working for integral ecology across Europe.”
— Sara Sechi, Executive Secretary of Don Bosco International
