A longtime friend of Operation Noah, Dr Lorna Gold is the Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement (formerly known as the Global Catholic Climate Movement); prior to that, Lorna was the Executive Director of FaithInvest. Though she is well known in climate campaigning circles, Lorna recently came to international attention for her role in this month’s ‘Raising Hope’ Conference, attended by Pope Leo. Lorna was not only involved in organising the conference, but was also invited to share the stage with Pope Leo at the opening event which was held in Castel Gandolfo, home to a papal residence.
Operation Noah: Can you describe the purpose of the Raising Hope event, what happened, and how you were personally involved?
Lorna Gold: ‘The idea for the Raising Hope Conference emerged in late 2024 as a way to mark the 10th anniversary of (Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’”). Our original plan was to host a small conference – roughly 200 people – in order to take stock of the movement’s development and of the impact of the encyclical with a view to shaping the future. We were also aware that this event was happening in the middle of the Jubilee of Hope – a really critical moment of renewal in the Catholic Church.’
‘In early 2025, with the passing of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, the importance of this event took on a whole new twist. I was also appointed as (executive director) of Laudato Si’ Movement in February 2025. Seeing this opportunity, we approached Pope Leo to see if he was interested in (participating in the conference). We expected a video message but to our surprise he decided to attend the opening ceremony. Things then snowballed.’
‘From 200 participants we ended up with 200 media representatives from every major outlet, a Vatican outside broadcast and 1200 live participants from 80 countries. It truly was a global moment. It was a huge collaboration involving a wide coalition of key Catholic partners not seen since the launch of Laudato Si’ in 2015. It also involved collaboration with all the main ecumenical partners and key secular climate actors. As the key proponent of the Conference, and (as executive director of Laudato Si’ Movement), I was invited by the Pope to sit on the stage alongside the heads of the Focolare Movement who are responsible for the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo where the conference took place.’
Operation Noah: What do you feel was achieved as a result of the event, and how were you personally impacted by it?
Lorna Gold: ‘We are still digesting the outcomes. It only happened ten days ago, and ever since I have been doing media interviews. The story was carried on every major outlet globally and the image of the Pope blessing the iceberg was on many covers of newspapers. This became one of those rare global moments, akin to Greta sitting outside the Swedish parliament, which has the potential to re-invigorate the climate movement. Frankly, the movement desperately needs that.’
‘From my personal view, the (climate) movement has felt a bit battered and bruised in recent years (with) the “Greta generation” rightly seeking their path in life and moving on to other critical issues of power and injustice. We have faced an onslaught from the fossil fuel industry and political right wing forces. The unity which characterised the late 2010s has dissipated in recent years. However, this moment has galvanised momentum at a key moment.’
‘The reality is that under the surface of this negativity and fragmentation, so much is happening – the forest is still growing in silence and putting down very deep roots. Solutions are reaching a critical mass, especially in relation to the cost of renewable energy. Now, the movement is ripe to re-emerge, and form new alliances…we are moving from ideas to solutions: concrete, practical solutions which are community driven and scalable. This is exciting. Faith communities are at the forefront of this and now need to accelerate their action to achieve the (positive) tipping points, which (I believe) are on the horizon.’
Operation Noah: In his short tenure, Pope Leo has already made some impressive statements in support of addressing human-caused climate change – what were your impressions of Pope Leo, and what can you tell us about his understanding of the climate and biodiversity crises and his commitment to addressing them?
Lorna Gold: ‘Since he started his Pontificate, I have had the great honour of engaging with (Pope Leo) on several occasions, especially in the preparation of this event. My impression is that he is “Francis 2.0” in substance, but his personality and strategy to achieve the vision he has inherited is different. He will also put his own stamp on it and bring his own gifts. I think what is notable is that he is hard wired to the calling to unity. The calling of Jesus in John 17:21 – “Father, may they all be one” – resonates strongly as an Augustinian. The call to serve the poor also resonates due to his own upbringing and his time as a missionary in Peru.’
‘(Pope Leo) is super smart and understands the inter-connections with environmental justice, but his worldview is perhaps more people-centred. He stresses the impact of our actions on our human brothers and sisters, whilst not shying away from the calling to wider communion with the whole of Creation. I was really impressed by his talk at our conference. Perhaps initially I was disappointed he didn’t mention “ending fossil fuels”, as Francis may well have done, but his numerous references to his predecessor and his clear rebuke of Trump’s remarks at the UN General Assembly (in which Trump called climate change a ‘con job’) have assuaged my slight concerns.’
‘He is politically astute. Whilst seeking dialogue with everyone and trying to reach out to the vast majority of Catholics (who actually never “got” the Laudato Si’ message), he is not (afraid of speaking) the truth and challenging political power. His symbolic blessing of the iceberg spoke volumes – more than any words. We are now excited to see how we can move forward together. He clearly trusts our movement and is looking to us to support the mission of the Church as it moves forward with its ecological conversion.’
Operation Noah: Was this your first time meeting Pope Leo, and can you describe what it was like to meet him and how you were introduced to him? Had you also previously met Pope Francis – and if so, how would you compare the two Popes in terms of temperament, style and their approach to the climate crisis?
Lorna Gold: ‘I met (Pope Leo) back in May, when he invited me to greet him on the actual date of the 10th anniversary of “Laudato Si’s” publication. I found him very down to earth – a warm person with a beautiful smile and someone you felt you could sit down and have a cup of tea with. He seemed really interested in what we are doing and has a great sense of humour. When I first met him, I had prepared a photo album for him of our movement so he could get to know us. I showed him a picture of him in Peru tweeting about our movement ten years ago! When he saw this, he laughed and quipped that so many things are being dragged up on Twitter!’
‘Laudato Si’ Movement had a very close relationship with Pope Francis. He really held our hand as a movement and supported us regularly over the whole decade since we formed. He confirmed our name as “Laudato Si’ Movement” in 2021 (previously we were the Global Catholic Climate Movement). I had the joy of meeting him on many occasions – the last time being on the day of my appointment (as executive director of the Laudato Si’ Movement) in late January 2025. It was the same day he went into hospital. His passing was a huge personal loss, as well as a loss for our movement. I’ll treasure those memories, but I feel his presence every day…I am sure the success of the conference is in large part down to his intercession.’
Operation Noah: Arnold Schwarzenegger – the actor, environmental campaigner and former governor of California – was also at the Raising Hope gathering, and in a recent interview that he gave, he mentioned the global power of the Church and impact that the Church could have in campaigning for environmental change – were there new alliances built at this conference? And were you also able to speak with Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Lorna Gold: ‘Yes, we invited Arnold Schwarzenegger due to the role he played in California as governor, and also because it is really fun to have such a celebrity to bring in media attention. We had several behind the scenes meetings with him and he was really keen to help in whatever way he could to support us to fulfil our mission. He said that his only concern coming to Rome was that it would be a “flash in the pan” – that is, that there would be no follow up. His mantra is “be useful”, and I am sure he can be useful for (Laudato Si’ Movement) and the wider climate movement. We have already met with his team since the conference and are looking at ways to practically use his influence to move our campaigns forward. Watch this space!’
Operation Noah: What contributions do you foresee Pope Leo making to the environmental movement, and do you feel his papacy will change how Churches and Christians engage with the climate crisis?
Lorna Gold: ‘I think one of his key contributions will be to cement the idea that caring for creation is not about the Church becoming environmentalist, but the Church being Church.’
‘He will help all Christians see that this is part and parcel of our Christian vocation. Pope Francis said this many times, but it got lost in a kind of polarisation between the “eco-Christians” and the rest. (Pope Leo) has already done so much by focusing the movement back on the “return to the heart”. This was a phrase (Pope Leo) used in his speech in Rome and it resonated far beyond the Catholic participants at the conference. He talked about the need to “move beyond collecting data to caring”. These are universal messages and so thoughtful.’
‘I think he will help us to become more united in how we address the practical issues of collaboration and focus on action, starting with conversion of our hearts. He is also very much focused on ecumenism and multi-faith dialogue. He was very pleased that we had many people from all faiths at our conference and urged us to work together. It is really positive to have his blessing on this. I really think he will also listen to the movement and take cues from us, getting involved when we see it is necessary to have a word, a push from the top.’
Operation Noah: Finally, were there other interesting things that happened at this event – or other insights you gained as a result of taking part?
‘I think one of the most astonishing things at this event was the atmosphere of hope. We called the event “Raising Hope” – but speaking of hope amid wars, the rise of the (far) right and climate disasters can seem a bit naive or fanciful. Yet everyone who attended (the conference) spoke of a profound hope.’
‘Whilst the conversations were serious – and whilst we grieved the many losses of the past decade – there was a profound sense of hope. It is hard to explain, but in Christian terms we could say there was grace. It was a grace-filled event which resounded with hope and even joy.’
‘It was a glimpse of a different future where we step out of our excuses, the million reasons to stop and go backwards, and raise our heads high. Our actions after all are not dependent on whether we succeed or not. Of course we want to succeed, but we act because it is right, because we have been gifted this beautiful planet and we wish to live authentically and build God’s kingdom amongst us. There is true freedom in this – and it shone through at our event.’
