Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first papal Mass using new prayers focused on environmental protection, echoing Pope Francis' legacy. The Mass, held at the Vatican's ecological center, highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and emphasized the need to 'hear the cry of the poor.' Leo, the first American pope, plans to continue Francis' environmental initiatives, including developing a large solar farm to make Vatican City carbon-neutral. The new Mass formula, inspired by Francis' 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si', reflects a commitment to ecological continuity and action within the Catholic Church.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.