Analysis of Pope Leo XIV's Homily – July 9, 2025 – Borgo Laudato si'
by Marco Baratto
In his homily delivered during the Mass for the Care of Creation at the peaceful and symbolic Borgo Laudato si', Pope Leo XIV unveiled what could become a defining expression of his pontificate: a quiet but resolute call to ecological conversion — not through confrontation, but through contemplative courage. This is the essence of what might be called the "Leo Code": a pastoral, almost monastic response to the ecological and social crises of our time — less militant than his predecessor, yet no less radical.
1. Nature as Cathedral: Worship Rooted in Creation
The Pope opened with a compelling image: the day's Mass celebrated in a kind of "natural cathedral," surrounded by trees, plants, and sunlight — elements of creation themselves becoming part of the liturgy. For Leo XIV, this is no poetic aside, but a powerful theological symbol: creation is the first altar, and gratitude to the Creator is incomplete without recognizing the earth as sacred space.
In this vision, Borgo Laudato si' becomes more than a location — it's a prototype for a new ecclesial ecology, a "living Laudato si'" born of prayer, humility, and integration.
2. The Climate Crisis and the Call to Inner Conversion
Pope Leo did not shy away from naming the climate emergency. He acknowledged the frequency of natural disasters and pointed to the human lifestyle as a contributing cause. But he did not attack climate-denying politicians or name guilty nations. Instead, he posed the uncomfortable question to everyone present:
"Are we living this conversion ourselves?"
His style marks a clear departure from the more fiery rhetoric of Pope Francis. Rather than denounce, Leo invites. His words sting, not because they accuse, but because they mirror our own contradictions. This is classic Augustinian spirituality — confront the self first, then the world. It is also the heart of what we call the Leo Code: a code of radical responsibility, non-possessiveness, and humble witness.
3. "This Voice Demands Prophecy": A Quiet Rebuke of Destructive Power
The boldest moment comes when Pope Leo references Psalm 29:
"The voice of the Lord is over the waters… The Lord thunders over the mighty waters."
Then he delivers the line that ripples like a thunderclap:
"This voice commits the Church to prophecy, even when it demands the courage to oppose the destructive power of the princes of this world."
And yet — true to his tone — he names no names. There are no direct confrontations, no rhetorical takedowns of governments or billionaires. He speaks with fire, but not with fury. His challenge is moral, not political. His resistance is spiritual, not partisan.
This is the Leo Code in action: not a sword, but a still small voice, calling the Church not to retreat, but to stand firm — with serenity and integrity — in the face of systemic destruction.
4. Eucharist and Earth: A Theology of Matter
Perhaps the most theologically rich section of his homily comes in his reflection on the Eucharist:
"In the Eucharist, creation reaches its highest exaltation… God becomes food for his creature."
Here, Pope Leo draws directly from Laudato si' — but he deepens it with mystical resonance. God meets us not "from above" but "from within" the created world. The Eucharist, then, is not separate from ecology; it is its fulfillment. It sanctifies matter itself. This is not eco-romanticism — it's incarnational theology in its purest form.
5. Borgo Laudato si': A Living Laboratory of Hope
The Pope concludes by returning to Borgo Laudato si' — not just as a symbolic place, but as a "laboratory" for ecological healing and reconciliation. This isn't a utopia. It's a concrete response to the brokenness of our relationships — with God, with each other, and with the Earth.
His final appeal is simple and stunning, quoting St. Augustine:
"Your works praise you so that we may love you; and we love you so that your works may praise you."
This circular vision — of love through creation and creation through love — is the cornerstone of his vision for the Church's role in the age of climate collapse.
Conclusion: The Leo Code – Milder Than Francis, But No Less Prophetic
Pope Leo XIV stands on the shoulders of giants — particularly Pope Francis — but carves out his own space with a softer, slower, and deeply interior approach. Where Francis was sometimes confrontational, Leo is contemplative. Where Francis calls for mobilization, Leo suggests inner migration — toward simplicity, non-attachment, and spiritual ecology.
The Leo Code could be summarized as:
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Augustinian humility over Ignatian militancy
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Prophetic stillness over political provocation
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Moral clarity over media soundbites
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Creation as communion, not commodity
In a world quite literally on fire, Pope Leo doesn't raise his voice — he makes room for God's.
And maybe that, more than anything, is what this burning world needs.
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