Pope Leo XIV blessed a large block of melting glacier ice from Greenland during a climate change event near Rome. This symbolic act was done to raise awareness about the urgency of climate change and to call world leaders to take courageous action. The blessing took place at the 10th-anniversary celebration of Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si, which focuses on the care of the environment. Pope Leo used the ritual to emphasize the importance of addressing global warming, criticizing climate change denial, and urging governments to adopt stronger measures to protect the Earth and the poor. The act was also seen as continuing Pope Francis's ecological legacy in a visible, symbolic way.
The event gathered about 1,000 representatives from environmental and Indigenous groups, with notable attendees such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pope Leo called on the international community to "listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor," linking faith and environmental responsibility. The blessing of the ice—a clear symbol of melting glaciers due to global warming—was meant to awaken hearts, cleanse indifference, and renew hope for ecological conversion.
The act received mixed reactions, with some critics labeling it a "pagan earth-worship" ritual, while supporters regarded it as a powerful stand for climate justice consistent with Catholic teaching on the stewardship of creation.
In summary, the Pope blessed ice as a symbolic gesture to highlight the climate crisis, urge action to combat global warming, and reaffirm the Church's commitment to ecological issues.
