Laudato Si’ Week in Rome May 17–24

Rome is observing Laudato Si’ Week from May 17 to May 24, according to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Laudato Si’ Movement. The eight-day observance is tied this year to Pentecost and marks the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical *Laudato Si’*, the 2015 text on care for creation. Organizers describe the 2026 theme as “From Hope to Action” and frame the week around prayer, education and practical environmental commitments. Pope Leo XIV referred to the observance during his Regina Caeli address on May 17, saying “from today until next Sunday, Laudato Si’ Week is taking place,” and calling it “dedicated to the care of creation and inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical.” ### Why is this week being marked now? May 17 to May 24 was set as the 2026 window for Laudato Si’ Week, the annual Catholic campaign held in May to commemorate the encyclical’s publication. The Laudato Si’ Week website says the campaign is an annual eight-day observance, while the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians said this year’s edition coincides with the Solemnity of Pentecost. (cgfmanet.org) The 11th anniversary is central to this year’s messaging. The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians said the week is intended to “explore and share the ecological progress being achieved within communities, families, groups, and Institutions,” language that places the focus on local Catholic practice rather than a single Rome-based gathering. (laudatosiweek.org) ### What does “From Hope to Action” mean in practice? The 2026 theme, “From Hope to Action,” appears on both the cgfmanet.org page and the official Laudato Si’ Week site. The campaign site says hope “is not passive” and is lived through “daily choices, community life, prayer, and concrete acts of care,” while also saying ecological conversion grows “step by step” through restored relationships, protection of creation and stronger communities. (cgfmanet.org) The week’s action component is explicit. The Laudato Si’ Week site asks participants to “take one concrete action for integral ecology” and submit it through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which it describes as a tool for the Church’s ecological response. The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians echoed that call, urging schools, parishes, families and religious institutes to share plans and reflections through the same platform. (cgfmanet.org) ### Is this a Rome event or a global Catholic campaign? Rome is the dateline used by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, but the structure is global. The Laudato Si’ Movement says the week is organized with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and presents it as a worldwide Catholic response, with actions by parishes, schools, religious communities and families across regions. (laudatosiweek.org) The campaign’s locations page describes Laudato Si’ Week as an annual observance and points users to listings rather than a single host venue. That matches the cgfmanet.org description of a week made up of initiatives, roundtables and educational events rather than one central conference. ### What has the Vatican said about it? Pope Leo XIV mentioned Laudato Si’ Week in St. (cgfmanet.org) Peter’s Square on May 17 during the Regina Caeli. The Vatican text says he described the week as “dedicated to the care of creation” and, “in this jubilee year of Saint Francis of Assisi,” recalled “his message of peace with God, with our brothers and sisters, and with all creatures.” (laudatosiweek.org) That mention gives the observance a public Vatican acknowledgment, but the published material reviewed for this story still points readers back to campaign organizers for schedules, resources and event registration. ### What is still scheduled before the week ends? May 23 is the next named event on the official site: a “Creation Care Ceremony: A Blessing and Sending Forth,” scheduled online for 8:00 a.m. (vatican.va) Quito time and 2:00 p.m. CET. The Laudato Si’ Movement says participants who register actions and initiatives during the week will receive a special blessing. May 24 is the closing date for the 2026 observance. (vatican.va) Organizers are directing participants to the Laudato Si’ Week website, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and the cgfmanet.org page for programme details, resources and local listings through the end of Pentecost week. (laudatosiweek.org)