World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
The first day of September is celebrated by Christians around the world as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. It also marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, which will conclude on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4.
During this time, Christians are asked to join in prayer and work for the care of our common home. The theme for 2026, which was chosen by Pope Leo XVI, is "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks," drawn from Isaiah 2-4.
In announcing the theme, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development wrote, "The Holy Father’s message highlights the connection between armed conflict and environmental degradation. Such degradation constitutes both a serious violation of our duty to care for creation, as well as a long-term threat to the lives of hundreds of millions of people. The now widespread awareness of the impact of war on natural resources has not led to the creation of adequate institutions or to responsible decisions aimed at preventing conflicts and resolving disputes peacefully. "
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation was begun by the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 1989, but it was adopted by the Catholic Church in 2015, the same year that Pope Francis issued his encyclical letter Laudato Sí: Care for Our Common Home. The day highlights the connection between peace and care for our planet.
Resources
Pope Leo XIV's Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of creation 2025 (Vatican link)
Pope Francis' Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2024 - (Vatican Link)
Catholic Climate Covenant Season of Creation 2026 (External Link)
