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Pope Leo XIV Under Fire For Bizarre ‘Blessing’ At Climate Conference

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2 months ago

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Pope Leo XIV is facing questions after a strange display at the Raising Hope for Climate Justice conference near Rome, where he blessed a block of ice before activists, including former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, waved a blue tarp across the stage in a theatrical demonstration.

The three-day conference, held at Castel Gandolfo, was organized by the Laudato Si’ Movement and other Catholic groups to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment. It brought together scientists, politicians, artists, and clergy in an effort to rally “ecological conversion” worldwide.

But it was the closing act of the opening ceremony that drew the most attention. As the event built toward the Pope’s appearance, a block of ice was carried on stage. The pontiff stepped forward, blessed it, and intoned words about “raising hope by demanding that leaders act with courage, not delay.” As he concluded, participants unfurled a large blue tarp and waved it to simulate rising waves, with Schwarzenegger himself joining in the performance.

“Will you join with us?” Pope Leo asked the crowd.

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While Catholic blessings are hardly unusual, critics seized on the imagery, calling the display confusing and bordering on political theater.  Still, the event highlights the tension that has followed the Vatican’s climate advocacy for years.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, is the current head of the Catholic Church and was elected to the papacy in 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. A member of the Augustinian order, he previously served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he oversaw episcopal appointments worldwide and was known for his administrative skill and pastoral sensitivity.

Upon becoming pope, he chose the name Leo XIV, signaling continuity with earlier popes known for their strong leadership. His papacy has so far been marked by an emphasis on climate justice, social responsibility, and the moral obligations of Christians in a rapidly changing world, building on Francis’s ecological vision while also calling for concrete action from governments and institutions.

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