Professor Chelsea King Examines Pope Leo XIV’s Climate Mission for National Catholic Reporter

Article connects faith, policy, and personal responsibility in addressing environmental crises

Sacred Heart University Catholic studies scholar, Chelsea Jordan King, recently wrote the editorial, “One year in, Pope Leo forges ahead with Francis’ ecological legacy” for the National Catholic Reporter.

In the piece, King examines how Pope Leo XIV continues to follow Pope Francis’ environmental legacy within the Catholic Church. She explains that while Pope Francis brought global attention to climate change through teachings such as Laudato Si’, Pope Leo focuses on what he calls “ecological conversion,” a deeper spiritual and moral transformation in the way people relate to the environment.

King highlights Leo’s calls for political accountability, renewable energy investment, and stronger international cooperation, while also encouraging Catholics to adopt lifestyle changes and local environmental initiatives.

To read the full article, visit the National Catholic Reporter