Vatican News / Artur Hanula
The Pope emphasized the importance of responsibility for protecting creation. He recalled that already on the first pages of the Bible, the protection of the world appears among the commandments that God addressed to humanity. “This is therefore a task of a primary nature,” the Holy Father pointed out.
Care for our common home
The Pope then expressed his gratitude for the work that the members of the Hera Group (Gruppo Hera) are doing, contributing to the care for “our common home.” He encouraged them to continue their commitment.
An urgent challenge
The Holy Father drew attention to the “ecological challenge of our times,” which he described as “more urgent than ever.” The Pope noted that “so that we do not treat every used item as mere garbage, we must change our behavior and make the effort to take a different path.”
The Pope pointed out the need to overcome the consumerist model and transition to a production system that will preserve the limited resources of our planet.
The importance of recycling
The Pope appreciated the Hera Group’s activities in the field of recycling. He noted that their actions demonstrate that “the culture of rejection can be successfully countered with the culture of care.”
Leo XIV recalled Pope Francis’s teaching on recycling and the circular economy as a good way to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.
An example of consistency
Pope Leo encouraged setting an “example of consistency.” “May the Church be the first to put into practice what it proclaims,” the Holy Father indicated. “Thanks to our cooperation, we will be able to make everyone’s home increasingly beautiful and welcoming.”
The Hera Group is a company managing environmental services in the Vatican under an agreement signed in December 2025 with the Governorate of Vatican City State. The company deals with the collection, transport, recovery, and disposal of waste using low-impact environmental means, such as a 100% electric vehicle that was included in the work in April 2026 for waste collection in St. Peter’s Square, as well as initiatives undertaken during the Jubilee for plastic recycling, in accordance with the guidelines of the encyclical “Laudato si'”.
