Pope Leo XIV: Care for creation serves the common good

Greeting pilgrims from the Edith Haberland-Wagner Foundation and Munich’s historic Augustiner-Bräu (Augustiner Brewery), Pope Leo XIV reflected on the spiritual heritage of the Augustinian tradition and renewed the Church’s call to responsible stewardship of creation.

Addressing the group on Saturday morning at the Vatican, the Holy Father thanked the pilgrims for marking the anniversary of his election to the See of Peter through their pilgrimage to Rome and for their “prayerful support” of his ministry.

The Pope also expressed gratitude for the gifts presented by representatives of the Bavarian brewery, using the occasion to offer two reflections inspired by their history and mission.

Recalling first the brewery’s historic ties to the Augustinian Order, Pope Leo XIV noted the profound personal significance that the spirituality of Saint Augustine continues to hold in his own life. Quoting from a 2025 video message to the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, he said Saint Augustine reminds believers that “we all have God-given gifts and talents, and our purpose, fulfilment and joy comes from offering them back in loving service to God and to our neighbour.”