On 8 May, the conclave of cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope of the Catholic Church, who has taken the name Leo XIV. In choosing this name, Prevost pays tribute to Leo XIII, regarded as one of the last progressive Popes before Francis’ pontificate, offering positive indications of a continuation of the Vatican’s green agenda.

Born in Chicago, United States, the new Pope holds dual nationality: American and Peruvian. In 2023, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a role of considerable trust during Francis’ papacy, through which he actively participated in the renewal of episcopal leadership aligned with a vision of a more inclusive Church, committed to addressing social and environmental challenges.

Francis: A legacy of commitment to renewable energies

Throughout his pontificate, Francis placed environmental protection at the heart of the Church’s mission. In the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, the Pope stated: “Hence, it has become urgent and imperative to develop policies so that in the coming years the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, by substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy.”

This stance translated into concrete measures, such as the construction of an agrovoltaic plant at Santa Maria di Galeria, aimed at supplying the Vatican exclusively with renewable energy.

Additionally, in his final apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, published in 2023, Francis warned: “Humanity must abandon fossil fuels and move towards clean energy sources if it is to have a future on this planet.”

At COP28, held in Dubai, although the Pontiff was ultimately unable to attend in person due to health issues, he delivered a powerful message: “We still have time to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, but the clock is ticking.” He called upon all countries to commit to a just and binding energy transition.

Continuity in the ecological agenda

Although Leo XIV is at the very beginning of his papacy, his close trajectory alongside Francis and his sensitivity to social issues suggest a possibility of continuity in the environmental focus and the promotion of renewable energies championed by his predecessor.

His choice of name, his missionary background, and his close collaboration with Bergoglio’s pontificate are strong indications that reinforce this pathway towards sustainability.

Deepening the Vatican’s commitment to decarbonisation is crucial in supporting global efforts towards the fulfilment of the Paris Agreement, particularly in the face of the growing tide of climate denialism.

The moral leadership of the Church, under Leo XIV’s guidance, will be influential in driving concrete actions towards this common objective.