The Pope Offers Encouragement at Ecology Symposium

More than 1,000 attendees participated in person and via livestream in "Earth's Cry, Humanity's Call: A Symposium on Integral Ecology" held on October 10-11. Organized by Siena's Laudato Sí Center, the symposium explored the climate crisis through a Franciscan lens, drawing on the teachings of Saint Francis, the patron saint of ecology.

In his keynote video address, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres stated, "We are witnessing real-time climate collapse - the result of the greenhouse gasses we are spewing into the atmosphere... The very people most at risk are those who did the least to cause the crisis: small island states, developing countries, the poor, and the vulnerable. This is breathtaking injustice - and it is just the beginning." Br. Michael Perry, O.F.M., director of the Laudato Sí Center, secured the address through his ongoing work with the U.N. on climate injustice.

As a special surprise, Pope Francis shared a letter encouraging student attendees to respect our "common home":

"It is my hope that the Symposium, in discussing the various dimensions of the global environmental crisis, will also draw attention to its deeper ethical and spiritual implications. The gravity of the threats to our common home calls not only for technical and political solutions. It likewise demands an 'ecological conversion,' which recognizes that issues of environmental justice cannot be separated from the greater pursuit of an integral human development for all the members of our human family, especially the poor and those who have no voice."

The letter was read to attendees by Tim Nigro '25.

At a welcome reception hosted October 10 by Siena's friars, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko and NYS Sen. Jake Ashby emphasized the need for research, the development of alternative energy sources, and the creation of "green jobs." The following morning, Siena President Chuck Seifert highlighted the College's commitment to addressing climate issues in his welcome address: "As an academic institution, it is crucial that we confront timely issues that impact humankind and work tirelessly to address them. As a Franciscan institution, it is imperative that we explore these issues and their solutions through the lenses of compassionate leadership, inclusivity, and innovation."

To demonstrate Siena's commitment to the climate crisis, President Seifert, BOT Chairman Thomas Baldwin Jr. '81, and Br. Michael signed the Board's Resolution on Sustainability, adopted in March (above).

The symposium, which was organized by Siena's Laudato Sí Center by Br. Michael, Br. Jacek Orzechowski, O.F.M., and Br. Jimmy Kernan, O.F.M., received coverage by the Vatican News, National Catholic Reporter, and Spectrum News.