Arnold Schwarzenegger Visits Vatican for Conference on Combating Climate Change
Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to the Vatican for a new event focused on combating climate change. The Hollywood star and former governor of California will be among the main speakers at the international conference “Raising Hope for Climate Justice,” which will take place in Castel Gandolfo from October 1 to 3 under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV.
On the eve of the event, the former politician will also participate in a press briefing to outline the program, alongside Brazilian Cardinal Jaime Spengler, President of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and Maina Talia, Minister of the small Pacific island state of Tuvalu.
According to the Vatican Press Office, the initiative aims to promote a global response to the environmental crisis by engaging faith, politics, and society. The event coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Laudato Si’ encyclical, written by Pope Francis and published on May 24, 2015, as well as the ten-year anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2025 Jubilee.
In addition to Schwarzenegger, speakers will include Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva, bishops, indigenous leaders, and experts in ecology and biodiversity. Over 400 international delegates will participate in talks, roundtables, spiritual observances, and cultural meetings to reflect on the progress made over the past decade and to identify new strategies ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
Organizers emphasized that the conference seeks to celebrate the impact of the papal document and faith communities, inspire hope during a global crisis, mobilize concrete commitments from religious and political leaders, and strengthen collaboration between the Church and institutions.
The three-day event will open with contributions from Lorna Gold, Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement—an international Catholic-inspired organization—and remarks by Pope Leo XIV. The following day, Cardinal Spengler will deliver a speech titled “A Reason for Hope.” The final day will focus on the practical implementation of the principles outlined in the apostolic message contained in the magisterial text.
Now seventy-eight, Schwarzenegger has combined his acting and political careers with a strong environmental commitment. While serving as governor, he was notable for pioneering measures against emissions and promoting renewable energy. He also founded the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, aiming to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy and raise global awareness about climate issues.
This is not the first time the actor has met a pope: in January 2017, he greeted Pope Francis during a general audience at the Vatican. His dialogue with Pope Leo XIV marks a new chapter in his environmental advocacy, intertwined with the broader spiritual and social issues of the Catholic Church.