FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Zakrzewski, 501-618-0234
katie@catholicclimatecovenant.org
June 16, 2025
Washington, D.C. — On June 25, the Encounter campaign of Catholic Climate Covenant, in collaboration with other faith-based partners, will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home with a special event on Capitol Hill titled “A Laudato Si’ Pilgrimage of Hope to Congress.”
This faith-filled action will bring together Catholic advocates to hand-deliver blessed copies of the Laudato Si’ encyclical and personal letters to all 148 Catholic Members of Congress to inspire renewed moral leadership on climate action in alignment with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Laudato Si’ and sharing the message of Laudato Si’ with our fellow Catholics in Congress,” said Kayla Jacobs, Policy Advisor for Catholic Climate Covenant. “We pray that the teachings in Laudato Si’ will guide them in their important role as legislators.”
The day’s events will include a prayer service, a blessing of the encyclicals, and the organized delivery of materials to Congressional offices in the House and the Senate. The day will conclude with a Mass.
Partnering organizations in the planning of this event include Franciscan Action Network (FAN), National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team, Laudato Si’ Movement, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, and Carmelite NGO. Organizers are encouraging broader participation from Catholic parishes, communities, youth, young adults, and religious congregations.
This event offers a hopeful and prayerful opportunity to reflect on the impact of Laudato Si’ and to recommit to advocating for policies that uphold the dignity of life, protect our common home, and support just climate solutions.
“As we mark a decade since the release of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reminds us that, ‘Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork…is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience,’” said Dan Misleh, Founder and Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant. “This event is a living witness to Pope Francis’ call and God’s call to care for creation and for the most vulnerable among us — a call that all Catholics must answer, including our Members of Congress.”
For more information, visit our registration page at https://catholicclimatecovenant.salsalabs.org/LaudatoSitoCatholicMembersofCongress/index.html
###
About Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Climate Covenant is a national U.S. nonprofit founded with the support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006 that inspires and equips U.S. Catholics and institutions to care for creation together. Through 20 national partners, we guide the U.S. Church’s response to climate change and integral ecology through faith-driven education, advocacy, and resources.
www.catholicclimatecovenant.org.
#######
