LIVE: Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue to be illuminated in blue ahead of COP30

Key Concepts

Laudato Si': Encyclical letter by Pope Francis on care for our common home, emphasizing environmental protection and social justice.
COP 30: The 30th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, a major international climate change summit.
Mata Atlântica: One of Brazil's most ancient and biodiverse biomes, facing significant threats.
Amazon Rainforest: A globally significant biome, crucial for biodiversity and climate regulation.
Metanoia: A profound change of mind or heart, a spiritual conversion.
Integral Ecology: The concept that environmental, social, and economic issues are interconnected and must be addressed holistically.
Common Home: The Earth, understood as a shared dwelling for all humanity and creation.
Climate Crisis: The urgent and severe threat posed by global warming and its impacts.
Anthropogenic Change: Changes to the environment caused by human activity.
Biodiversity: The variety of life on Earth.
Traditional Peoples: Indigenous communities and other long-standing inhabitants of specific regions, often with deep ecological knowledge.
Water Cycle: The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
Glaciers: Large bodies of ice that form over many years.
Sea Level Rise: The increase in the average level of the world's oceans, primarily due to thermal expansion of seawater and melting glaciers.
Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change.
Prevention: Proactive measures to avoid environmental damage and climate impacts.
Adaptation: Adjusting to actual or expected future climate conditions.

Celebration of the Word and Care for Our Common Home at Christ the Redeemer

This transcript details a spiritual and environmental celebration held at the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in anticipation of COP 30. The event emphasizes gratitude for life and creation, the urgency of the climate crisis, and the call to action inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si'.

Opening Prayer and Invocation

The celebration begins with a prayer invoking peace, love, forgiveness, unity, faith, truth, hope, joy, and light, reflecting the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. The participants express gratitude for life and creation, highlighting the beauty of nature, water, mountains, biomes, and traditional cultures as part of their "common home." The event is framed as a gesture of love and solidarity for the planet.

The Laudato Si' Movement and the Pilgrimage of Water

The gathering is presented as part of the Laudato Si' movement, a national and international initiative to promote the Pope's encyclical. A key symbolic element is the water from melting glaciers, blessed by Pope Leo X, which is on a pilgrimage to Brazil. This water serves as a potent symbol of the urgency of the climate crisis. The pilgrimage includes stops at emblematic Christian sites like Aparecida and will proceed to Belém for COP 30. The aim is to amplify the call for decisive action from world leaders and all people of good will to protect and transform humanity's relationship with creation.

Prayer for the Mata Atlântica Biome

A specific prayer is offered for the Mata Atlântica biome, recognized as the oldest forest biome in Brazil, dating back to the Cretaceous period (125 million years ago). The prayer acknowledges its historical presence, its role in maintaining water sources, and providing shelter for fauna and traditional communities. It also expresses a plea for wisdom to avoid past mistakes of destruction and to recognize the vital environmental services the forest provides, such as climate balance and biodiversity maintenance. The prayer calls for eyes of faith to see the grandeur of creation.

Psalm 103: Praise for God's Creation

Psalm 103 is recited, with participants responding "Alegre-se o Senhor em suas obras" (Let the Lord rejoice in His works). The psalm praises God's greatness, majesty, and the wonders of His creation, from the firmament and the seas to the springs and the diverse creatures that inhabit the Earth.

Gospel Reading and Reflection: Matthew 6:25-34

The Gospel reading focuses on Jesus's teaching not to worry about material needs like food, drink, or clothing, but to seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice. The reflection highlights the contradiction of a world with abundant food production yet widespread hunger, particularly in Brazil, a major food producer. It criticizes the utilitarian and market-driven view of creation, urging a shift towards a more subjective and respectful perspective. The speaker emphasizes that creation should be seen as a subject with inherent value, not merely an object to be manipulated. The COP 30 is presented as an opportunity for this necessary "metanoia" – a change of mindset and posture towards creation.

Intercessory Prayers for COP 30

A series of intercessory prayers are offered for the success of COP 30, asking for:

The Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and discernment to leaders, scientists, and environmentalists.
Laudato Si' to serve as an inspiring ethical and religious reference for environmental progress.
The intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Ecology, for a more just, fraternal, and sustainable society and environment.

Blessing of the Waters and Commitment to Creation

The ceremony includes a symbolic blessing with water. Two types of water are used:

Melted Glacier Water: This water, blessed by Pope Leo X, symbolizes the urgency of the climate crisis and the commitment to preserving glacial reserves. The melting is attributed to climate change, and the water's pilgrimage aims to raise awareness about its potential consequences, such as sea level rise.
Rainwater from the Mata Atlântica: This water, collected from the biome, is blessed and sprinkled on the participants as a symbol of commitment to protecting the common home.

The speaker then offers a prayer for the Amazon rainforest, recognizing it as a global heritage and a vital ecosystem that shelters traditional peoples. The prayer emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate, flora, fauna, water resources, and human cultures, advocating for an integral ecology.

Call for Mitigation, Prevention, and Adaptation

The discussion addresses the need for mitigation and prevention in the face of ongoing climate change. While adaptation may be necessary due to the inevitability of some climate impacts, the focus is on reducing emissions and implementing preventive measures. The vulnerability of poorer populations to climate change is highlighted, emphasizing the need for systemic change and a shift away from excessive consumerism and corruption.

Concluding Blessings and Hymn

The celebration concludes with the Lord's Prayer, a blessing from Christ the Redeemer, and a hymn emphasizing the interconnectedness of all creation and the call to care for the Earth, its inhabitants, and the vulnerable. The event reinforces the message of hope and the commitment to a sustainable future for all generations. The presence of representatives from various movements and organizations underscores the collective effort towards environmental stewardship.