Pope Leo XIV Calls for Education, Environmental Responsibility and Moral Renewal

Rome: Pope Leo XIV has called for a renewed commitment to education, environmental responsibility and social justice, stressing that learning is essential not only for children but for people of every age and background.

The Pope made the remarks during a pastoral visit to the southern Italian town of Acerra on Saturday, where he addressed local residents, civic leaders and mayors.

“Giving our children a better world is a noble aspiration. Learning must remain our commitment and priority,” the Pope said, adding that education should involve adults, the elderly, workers, employers, leaders, believers and clergy alike.

He emphasised that every person has something valuable to contribute to society, but first must learn “how to receive.”

“It is not easy, but it is the beginning of a new path — like opening a door to something we have not yet fully understood, believed in or loved. That is what creates a true community,” he said.

Christians Called to Walk With Jesus in Every Age

Pope Leo XIV said the mission of Christians is to continue walking with Jesus in every generation and to become more faithful disciples through action and responsibility.

“The true transformation of society is not only economic or civic, but also spiritual and moral,” he said, while praising those who first spoke out against environmental destruction and injustice in the region.

‘Let Us Be Guardians of the Earth’

The Pope urged people to protect the environment and reject systems driven by greed, pollution and exploitation.

“The problems of this house called Earth are our problems. Its beauty is our beauty,” he said. “We are called to stand guard like watchmen in the night and become those who witness a new dawn.”

He condemned practices that pollute the earth, water and air in pursuit of power and wealth, warning that destructive models of development have left communities “sick and poor.”

A Different Kind of Wealth

Pope Leo XIV encouraged people to redefine prosperity through relationships, compassion and service to the common good rather than material gain.

“Let us learn to be rich in different ways,” he said. “Let us value relationships more deeply, care more for the common good, love our homeland, and welcome those who come to live among us.”

He added that social renewal begins with personal responsibility and moral courage.

Justice Must Come Before Self-Interest

Calling for unity and solidarity, the Pope urged people to “walk together and speak boldly,” even in the face of opposition or threats.

“We must choose justice and serve life,” he declared. “The common good must come before narrow sectarian interests or the business interests of a few.”

The Pope also reflected on the suffering endured in areas affected by pollution and environmental degradation, recalling the deaths of many children and innocent people in the region long associated with toxic waste and illegal dumping, often referred to as the “Land of Fires.”

Referring to Pope Francis and his landmark environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Leo XIV said ecological awareness must become a lasting cultural transformation rather than a temporary response to crisis.

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