Conference program
*Please note the detailed programme is subject to final changes - we will notify you of the final programme on 29th September.
‘For we know that things can change’ - Laudato Si’
Our world is facing a poly-crisis. The Raising Hope Conference brings together representatives of the human family - global leaders, faith communities, progressive business leaders and frontline voices - to take stock of where we are and build a shared vision of our future. A decade after Pope Francis published Laudato Si’— his seminal letter ‘to all people on the planet’ that awakened the world to the moral urgency of the climate crisis—we unite to reflect on its impact, to celebrate what has been achieved, but to chart bold pathways for action. We will leave this event with new friends, commitments and hope for the future. The programme reflects the diversity of participants and has been designed to enable all to fully take part. Each delegate has a key role to play, like the bees who work together to produce honey, each of us has a transformative role to play.
‘Let us sing as we go, may our concerns….’ Laudato Si
Wednesday 1st October
Celebration of Hope with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
10.00 - 14.00. Registration
Location: Main Foyer, Centro Mariapoli Conference Centre
All participants will be issued with a QR code and must bring ID with them and carry it at all times during the conference. Given the security protocols, once the registration closes, nobody can enter the complex.
12:00 - 14:00. Lunch
Location: Canteen, Centro Mariapoli Conference Centre
If you did not reserve lunch in your online registration, you can book it directly here by 26th September
All participants must enter the hall by 14:45 to enable testing of translations, livestream rehearsal for audience and preparation of the Conference centre for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV
Opening Ceremony: A Celebration of Hope
15:00. Welcome and orientation for the Conference
Location: Main Hall A
15:00 Welcome and orientation for the Conference
- Dr. Lorna Gold - Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement and Chair of the Conference Organising Committee.
- Ms. Margaret Karram - President of the Focolare Movement, hosts of the event at the Centro Mariapoli.
Music by Performing Arts Group Gen Verde and Adenike
16:00. Arrival of Pope Leo XIV
The session will combine featured testimonies, spiritual and artistic moments and culminate with the intervention of Pope Leo XIV and his blessing.
Featured Testimonies
- Mr. Yeb Saño - Chair of the Board of Directors, Laudato Si’ Movement
- The Honourable Marina Silva – Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil, Head of the joint COP30 Presidency–United Nations Global Ethical Stocktake
- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – Founder of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative and former Governor of California.
17:00. Pope Leo XIV Departs
20:00. Supper
Location: Canteen, Centro Mariapoli
Supper is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals.
21:00 - 21.30. Buses
Shuttle buses leave from car park opposite Centro Mariapoli for Conference Accommodation for those who booked full package
22:00. All non-residents exit Centro Mariapoli
Laudato Si' Festival
Throughout the day, a vibrant celebration of the life of Laudato Si’ Movement in the last decade will take place across the Centro Mariapoli complex - in the foyer, gardens and break out rooms. Come and be inspired by the many expressions of faith-based ecological action raising hope today! This festival will run from 10:00 - 20:00, with the exception of the visit of Pope Leo XIV. A full programme will be provided on the day.
Highlights will include:
Photo Exhibition, “Our Common Home” - Foyer
Musical contributions from various artists
Action Hubs on various themes
Meditation Space
Learning Sessions
- 12:30 - 13:15 Laudato Si’ in Action: Terra Laudato Si’ and Borgo Laudato Si’ Location: Hall D
Come and learn about two landmark international initiatives that embody the vision of Laudato Si’ in complementary ways: Terra Laudato Si’ in Assisi and Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo. Together, these projects show how the Church and society can build models of ecological conversion that integrate contemplation, action, and service.
- 13:30 - 14:05 Seeds of Renewal: The Economy of Francesco. Location: Hall D
What would a Laudato Si’ inspired economy look like? Come and see! This session showcases the creativity of young economists and entrepreneurs whose Laudato Si’-inspired initiatives point the way toward an economy that restores both communities and creation.
- 13:30 - 14:05 Deepening Conversion: The Spiritual Path of Laudato Si’ Location: Hall F
Change starts with us. ‘Ecological conversion’ is not only about what we do, but how we live and who we are. In this session, Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSM, worldwide leader of the World Community for Christian Meditation will explore the spiritual dimension of Laudato Si’- how prayer, contemplation, and inner transformation can nurture and sustain our commitment to care for creation.
- 18:00 - 18:45 Laudato Si’ Action Platform: Living the 7 Goals of Laudato Si’ Location: Hall B
In Laudato Si’ Pope Francis calls for a ‘community conversion’. This session demonstrates how the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, a Vatican promoted platform for sustainability, offers practical tools for transformation - across parishes, schools, dioceses, and beyond. It will highlight inspiring testimonies of communities that are already living the 7 Laudato Si’ Goals in creative and concrete ways. Participants already engaged with the Platform will also be invited to share their own experiences and stories of ecological conversion in action. This session will be facilitated by Laudato Si’ Action Platform team and Catholic Climate Covenant (US)
- 18:00 - 18:45 Europe’s Ecological Journey: Taking Stock and Advancing Laudato Si’ Location: Hall F
Bringing together voices from across Europe, this session will explore how Laudato Si’ has been put into practice to date, where barriers remain and what concrete actions are needed to advance ecological conversion in the continent. This session will be facilitated by Cardinal Nemet, Bishop of Belgrade and vice-president of Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE), European Laudato Si’ Alliance, Filipe Martins director of JESC, Maria Nyman, director of Caritas Europe, Maria Hammershøy vice president of Justice and Peace and Dr Roland Daw from University of St. Mary, UK.
- 19:00-19:45 Prophetic Pathways: Uniting Faith Voices for COP30 and Beyond Location: Hall B
This session offers a space for all who wish to engage in COP30 activities to come together, plan, and journey on the Catholic roadmap toward COP30 in Brazil and beyond. Participants will explore key advocacy priorities, name urgent calls for systemic change, and discern how communities can contribute meaningfully. This session will be facilitated by CIDSE, Caritas Internationalis, Network of Catholic Climate and Environment Actors, Franciscans International, and Laudato Si’ Movement.
‘We know that things can change….’ Laudato Si
Thursday 2nd October
The Impact of Laudato Si’
Ten years after the publication of Laudato Si’, we celebrate how far we’ve come and consider the potential that is still unmet.
7.00-8.30. Breakfast
Location: Canteen, Centro Mariapoli
Breakfast is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals.
8:15. Holy Mass
Location: Location: Hall A
A celebration of Catholic Mass for Creation is available to all who wish to attend.
Presider: Bishop Gerry Alimanza, DD Bishop of San Carlos, Philippines
9:00-11.00. Plenary Session: Hope and Urgency
Location: Hall A
A sense of urgency can often lead to despair. At times of profound crisis, like one we are experiencing today, the virtue of hope can seem like wishful thinking. Yet throughout history, people have risen up to meet challenges which always seemed insurmountable. How do we harness the sense of urgency for the future of the planet into active hope?
9.00-9.30. Welcome and Orientation
After an inspiring and joyous first day, attendees will be welcomed for the second day of the conference and oriented for the two working days ahead which will focus on three themes: hope and urgency, hope and resilience, hope and ambition.
Dr. Lorna Gold - Executive Director, Laudato Si’ Movement - Welcome Remarks and Recap
Spiritual moment facilitated by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), a Catholic organization representing about 600,000 sisters and nuns from 80 countries worldwide.
9.30-9.45. Keynote Speech: A Reason for Hope
Cardinal Jaime Spengler - President of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil and the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), and Archbishop of Porto Alegre.
9.50-11:00. Panel Discussion: Faith and climate justice: The impact of Laudato Si’ within the faiths
- Mr. Austen Ivereigh (Moderator) - well-known author of books on and with Pope Francis.
- Ms. Priyanka Lalla - UNICEF Youth Advocate, Eastern Caribbean Chair of National Child Rights Ambassadors Steering Committee in Trinidad and Tobago, and author of ecological children’s books
- Dr. Iyad Abumoghli - Scholar and former Director of the Faith for Earth Coalition of the United Nations Environment Programme.
- Mr. Alistair Dutton - Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis
- Bishop Martin Hayes - Bishop of Kilmore and Episcopal Coordinator of Laudato Si' for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
11.00 - 11.40. Coffee Break
Please visit the stalls from the Laudato Si’ festival and enjoy learning about the many dimensions of Laudato Si’ and opportunities for collaboration
11.40-13.05. Plenary Session: Hope and Urgency
Location: Hall A
- 11.40-11.50: Moment of Reflection: 800 Years of the Canticle of Creation
Mr. Tomas Insua - Chair of the Laudato Si' Center of Assisi, ecclesial affiliate at Laudato Si’ Research Institute, Campion Hall, Oxford University - 12.00 - 13.00: Panel Discussion: Bridging divides, inspiring responsibility: The impact of Laudato Si’ beyond the faiths
The teachings of Laudato Si' have reverberated far beyond the faith communities. Leaders, climate actors, and “people of good will” have all been touched by encyclical’s focus on climate as a universal moral issue.
- Ms. Chiara Martinelli (moderator) - Director of Climate Action Network Europe
- Ms. Patricia Gualinga - President of the Tribunal on the End of the Fossil Fuel Era for the International Rights of Nature Tribunal and former Foreign Affairs Leader of the Native Kichwa People of Sarayaku
- Dr. Katharine Hayhoe - Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor
- Mr. Bill McKibben - Founder of Third Act, Co-Founder of 350.org.
- Hon. Laurence Tubiana - CEO of the European Climate Foundation, key architect of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Special Envoy to Europe for COP30
13.15-14.15. Lunch
Location: Canteen, Mariapolis Centre
Lunch is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals
14.20-14.40. Plenary Session: Orientation for Afternoon Sessions
Location: Hall A
The afternoon will be spent in working groups and in spiritual reflection in nature (weather permitting). Working groups, led by trained facilitators, offer a valuable opportunity to develop relationships, explore opportunities for collaboration, and make concrete plans and commitments for the future.
Following the working group sessions we will go to the near by Borgo Laudato Si’, envisioned by Pope Francis in the Pontifical Villa Garden, and inaugurated by Pope Leo XIV in September 2025, is a pilgrimage destination for the principles of integral ecology that are outlined in Laudato Si’.
14.40-16.30. Working Groups
Locations: details to be confirmed at registration
16.45. Walk to Borgo Laudato Si’
Meeting point: details provided in orientation session
The walk takes approximately 20 minutes on cobbled streets. If you have mobility concerns you are invited to speak to the front desk to arrange a taxi and seating for the service. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a warm jacket for this part of the programme.
17.00-17.45. One Family, One Common Home - A Spiritual Reflection
Location: Belvedere, Borgo Laudato Si’
“We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family.”
― Pope Francis, LAUDATO SI' ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
An inspiring moment of prayer and reflection with people of many faiths will invite us to celebrate our diversity, overcome what divides, and focus on the common values and common ground we share.
18.00-19.30. Drinks’ Reception
Location: Borgo Laudato Si’
A joyful gathering with music in the Borgo Laudato Si’ opens new doors of connection and strengthens relationships in a place where a new history page is being written. Wine, soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.
20.00. Supper
Location: Canteen, Mariapolis Centre
Supper is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals.
22:00. All non-residents exit Mariapolis Centre
Friday 3rd October
At this ten-year milestone, we explore the practical ways that we can contribute to the better future that Laudato Si’ envisions.
“We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.”
7.00-8.30. Breakfast
Location: Canteen, Mariapolis Centre
Breakfast is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals.
8.15. Holy Mass
Location: Hall A
A celebration of Catholic Mass for Creation is available to all who wish to attend.
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”
― Pope Francis, ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI' ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
9.00 - 13.00. Plenary Session: Hope and Resilience
Location: Hall A
To fulfil the promise of Laudato Si', we must confront the urgent changes needed. At the heart of this transformation lies the unique role of faith communities, whose moral authority, global presence, and capacity to inspire hope make them essential to mobilising the bold and creative action our world so urgently needs. Simply opposing the causes of climate change is not enough. Faith communities are called to create a vision of a world that is safe and prosperous for all - and to lead others toward it.
9.00-9.20. Welcome and Recap
- Visual Presentation of Conference events so far, captured by artist
- Dr. Rigobert Minani Bihuzo, S.J. - Convenor of Ecclesial Networks Alliance for Integral Ecology (ENA).
9.20-9.35. Keynote Speech: Realising the promise of Laudato Si’: Building resilient communities for a just and inclusive future
Mr. Kumi Naidoo - President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
9.40-10.50. Panel Discussion: Faith, and the shared mission for a resilient planet
- Ms. Josianne Gauthier (moderator) - Secretary General of Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité (CIDSE).
- Hon. Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia - Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment for Tuvalu,
- Dr. Svitlana Romanko - Founder and Director of Razom We Stand.
- Mons. Robert Vitillo - Laudato Si’ Action Platform, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
- Pre-recorded virtual interventions: Hon. Dr. Martin Guzman - Professor of Professional Practice of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
10.50-11.10. Coffee Break
11.10-13.10. Working Groups
Location: As per previous day
13.20-14.20. Lunch
Location: Canteen, Mariapolis Centre
Lunch is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals.
14.25-15.00. Working Groups
Location: As per morning session
15.00 - 17.00. Closing Plenary Session - Hope & Ambition
Location: Hall A
To achieve a better future, we need everyone at the table. While much of the attention has been on historical centres of power, we need to understand the changing culture of leadership. In Pope Francis’ words, we need a new mindset, an ‘integral ecology’. This final plenary session will challenge us to think about how to include everyone at the table and end with a solemn commitment to continue to raise hope when we return to home. How can we continue to bring forth new hope?
15.00-15.15. Framing our closing session
Music by Mark Chait
Introductory remarks
15.15-16.25. Panel Discussion: The Vision of a New Future: The Whole Family at the Table
- Ms. Bianca Pitt (moderator) - Founder of the Women of the Environment Network, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate.
- Ms. Catherine Coleman Flowers - Climate Reality Project and The Natural Resources Defense Council and Author, Holy Ground: On Activism, Environmental Justice and Finding Hope.
- Bishop Ricardo Hoepers - Secretary General of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference, CNBB
- Margaret Karram President of Focolare Movement
- Mr. Helmy Abouleish, CEO & Founder, Economy of Love
- Dr. Luigino Bruni - Vice President of the Economy of Francesco Foundation, Professor of Political Economy at LUMSA University
16.25-17.00. Closing Moment - Committing to the Journey Ahead
In the closing session we will summarise the key themes emerging from the working group which will guide our future directions as a broad movement. We will then move to a moment of reflection on these three days together and solemn commitment to continue to walk together for our common home.
- Mr. Yeb Saño - Chair of Board of Directors, Laudato Si’ Movement.
- Dr. Lorna Gold - Executive Director, Laudato Si’ Movement.
Symbolic action of commitment of all participants
Closing music and spiritual reflection
20.00. Dining Hall, Supper
Supper is available for those who purchased either the full conference package or meals.
Stay updated on the evolving programme! Connect with your fellow delegates! Join our official WhatsApp channel for key info and logistics.
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