A Call for Action at the Intersection of Faith and Energy

The Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Holy See recently organized a high-level event in Rome, bringing together key representatives from the economic, political, and religious sectors to discuss the future of renewable energy. The event, centered around Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’, focused on how the energy transition presents opportunities for job creation, education, and inclusion as the world looks ahead to COP 29.

Ambassador Antonio Zanardi Landi, who hosted the event, invited Italy’s Minister of the Interior and other influential figures to highlight the critical importance of sustainable energy for the future. Addressing the crowd, Fr. Enzo Fortunato, spokesperson for St. Peter’s Basilica, emphasized the Vatican’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Energy Transition and the Call to Preserve Creation

Fr. Fortunato underscored the urgency of aligning modern energy practices with the teachings of Laudato si’, stating, “I think that with Laudato si’ we will have the eleventh commandment: Don’t waste. It is very important for our society, for our sons, and for our future.”

He further challenged the audience, asking, “Which future would you like for our sons and for our children? This is the question that society and the Church together are called to answer.”

Preparing the Workforce for a Greener Future

The event, titled "In the Spirit of Laudato si’: Toward COP 29 — Energy Transition as an Opportunity for Social and Employment Inclusion," presented a study conducted with 1,700 respondents across ten countries. The findings revealed an urgent need to reskill the workforce and train engineers with a more "humanistic" approach to lead the energy transition effectively.

Adapted by Jacob Stein