Arnold Schwarzenegger calls Pope 'action hero' for stance on environment

Pope Leo XIV and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger shared a stage this week at the opening of the "Raising Hope for Climate Justice" conference in Castel Gandolfo.

Schwarzenegger, a film star famous for his action roles in the likes of Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator and Predator, is also a former governor of California and a long-time environmental advocate. Born in Austria, the film star was raised in the Catholic Church and attended Catholic school. He praised the Vatican’s efforts to become the world’s first carbon-neutral state, describing Pope Leo as “an action hero” for his decisive leadership.

“As soon as he became Pope, he ordered solar panels on Vatican buildings,” Schwarzenegger said to applause. “This will be one of the first states to be carbon neutral.”

He suggested the global campaign for environmental justice should focus on “terminating pollution” rather than debating “climate change", saying it was a message that “talks to the heart so people understand it".

In response, the Pope said that the true “action heroes” were those working tirelessly in local communities to safeguard creation. He went on to emphasise that the ecological crisis is “first and foremost of a spiritual nature” and called for a renewed “conversion of heart".

Addressing an audience of faith leaders, environmental experts and campaigners, Pope Leo said humanity must “care for our common home together”, describing ecological renewal as both a social and spiritual challenge.

Speaking near the papal villa on 1 October, the pontiff called for “unity around integral ecology and for peace", reminding participants that “we are one family, with one Father, who makes the sun to rise and sends rain on everyone".

The three-day conference marks the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical on the environment. Organised by the Laudato Si’ Movement and international partners, it has drawn more than 1,000 delegates, including bishops, scientists, Indigenous representatives and government officials.

The Pope also expressed hope that forthcoming international summits, including the UN’s COP30 climate conference in Brazil, would listen attentively to the voices of families, Indigenous peoples and migrants.

Sr Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’ was “not a destination but a new beginning", while Dr Lorna Gold of the Laudato Si’ Movement announced the launch of a “Laudato Si’ 10” pledge to encourage renewed commitment to the encyclical’s goals.

The "Raising Hope for Climate Justice" event has been described as the most significant Catholic gathering on ecology since the 2015 publication of Laudato Si’, which placed environmental stewardship at the heart of Catholic social teaching.

Photo: Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a speech attended by the Pope during an international conference on 'climate justice' in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, 1 OCtober 2025. (Photo by MARIA GRAZIA PICCIARELLA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images.)

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