Pope Francis sent a special message to the Brazilian people on Wednesday, March 5, marking the start of Lent and the 2025 Fraternity Campaign, organized by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB). Hospitalized for 20 days in Rome due to pneumonia that has compromised his health, the pontiff emphasized the significance of this year’s theme, “Fraternity and Integral Ecology,” paired with the motto “God saw that everything was very good” (Genesis 1:31). The annual campaign invites Brazilian Catholics to a 40-day period of reflection, fasting, and prayer leading up to Easter, but this year it carries a unique focus on the global climate crisis. Despite his fragile condition, which included two episodes of respiratory failure, Francis underscored his support for the Brazilian Catholic Church and its role in the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference, COP 30, set to take place in Belém, Pará, in November.
The Pope’s message comes at a time when the world grapples with unprecedented environmental challenges, such as rising global temperatures and extreme weather events. In Brazil, the campaign’s theme reflects the urgent need for concrete actions to preserve the Amazon, often called the planet’s lungs, yet threatened by deforestation and wildfires. Francis, who nearly a decade ago released the encyclical Laudato Si’ on caring for the “Common Home,” called for a shift in humanity’s approach to the environment, linking Lenten spirituality with ecological responsibility.
In his text, the pontiff also praised the over 60-year legacy of the Fraternity Campaign, a tradition that mobilizes millions of Brazilian Catholics. He highlighted how this year’s edition offers an opportunity for the Church in Brazil to lead efforts in overcoming environmental crises, particularly with the approaching COP 30, which will place the country at the heart of global sustainability discussions.
Brazilian Church takes lead on integral ecology debate
The 2025 Fraternity Campaign officially kicked off on Ash Wednesday, a day when Catholics are called to begin a season of penance and spiritual renewal. This year, the focus on integral ecology aims to blend faith with practical action, encouraging the faithful to adopt more sustainable habits. The chosen motto, drawn from Genesis, points to divine creation and humanity’s duty to safeguard it—an idea Pope Francis reinforced by stressing the need to “let nature rest from our greedy exploitation.”
Drawing from Laudato Si’, published in 2015, and the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, released in 2023, the campaign promotes an ecological conversion that transcends symbolic gestures. The Pope recalled how Saint John Paul II had already emphasized, decades earlier, the importance of raising awareness about caring for the environment—a vision now gaining momentum under the CNBB’s leadership.
The selection of Belém as the host city for COP 30 in November was also commended by Francis. He views the event as a chance for Brazil to demonstrate its commitment to environmental preservation, especially in the Amazon, home to roughly 400 billion trees and a key regulator of the global climate. The papal message underscores the Church’s potential to play a pivotal role in this process, urging both the faithful and policymakers to act decisively.
Pope’s health raises concern as message inspires action
Since mid-February, Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, battling pneumonia that has led to two episodes of respiratory failure. At 88 years old, the pontiff was forced to cancel major engagements, including the official start of Lent at the Vatican, a rare occurrence in recent decades. Yet, his resolve to send a message to Brazil reflects his deep connection to the country, where the Catholic Church still commands millions of followers despite the rise of other religious denominations.
The Pope’s health has sparked prayers worldwide, particularly in Brazil, where Lent is a time of intense spiritual engagement. Medical reports indicate that the pneumonia, worsened by a respiratory crisis, requires intensive care, yet Francis continues to monitor Church matters closely. His message to Brazil, penned amid these challenges, showcases his resilience and dedication to global causes like environmental justice.
While recovering, Francis has entrusted other Church leaders with conducting key ceremonies but remains vocal through written statements. In Brazil, the CNBB welcomed the message with enthusiasm, seeing it as a call to mobilize local communities for environmental initiatives throughout the 40 days of Lent.
Why integral ecology matters urgently in Brazil
Brazil faces environmental challenges that make the 2025 Fraternity Campaign theme particularly pressing. Recent data reveal that deforestation in the Amazon hit alarming levels, with over 11,000 square kilometers of forest lost in 2022 alone. This trend threatens biodiversity and the livelihoods of Indigenous and riverside communities reliant on the forest. Pope Francis’s message serves as a plea for Brazilians to take an active role in reversing this crisis.
The country also contends with the direct impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts in the Northeast and heavy rainfall in the South and Southeast. In 2024, historic floods in Rio Grande do Sul displaced thousands, while drought in the Pantanal jeopardized one of the world’s largest wetlands. The integral ecology championed by Francis advocates a holistic approach, merging environmental care with social justice—issues that resonate deeply in Brazil’s context.
Preparations for COP 30 further spotlight Brazil on the global stage. Experts predict the event will draw over 50,000 attendees to Belém, including scientists, diplomats, and activists, to negotiate carbon emission reduction targets. With its widespread presence in urban and rural communities, the Catholic Church could be a vital partner in rallying society for this historic moment.
Lent and Fraternity Campaign timeline
Lent began on March 5 and runs until April 20, culminating in Easter celebrations. During this time, the CNBB coordinates various activities to engage Catholics in the integral ecology theme. Key dates include:
- March 5: Ash Wednesday, marking the official start of Lent and the Fraternity Campaign launch.
- March 16: First nationwide collection to fund socio-environmental projects across dioceses.
- March 30: Palm Sunday, with celebrations emphasizing the ecological message.
- April 17-20: Holy Week, leading to Easter, focusing on spiritual and environmental renewal.
These milestones are accompanied by community gatherings, lectures, and practical efforts like clean-up drives and tree-planting initiatives organized by parishes nationwide.
Practical tips for living integral ecology during Lent
A core goal of the campaign is to weave integral ecology into daily life. Over Lent’s 40 days, Catholics are encouraged to adopt habits reflecting care for creation. Here are some suggestions:
- Reduce meat consumption, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.
- Conserve water and energy at home to minimize waste.
- Join local recycling and public space clean-up efforts.
- Opt for public transport or biking over car use.
These straightforward yet impactful steps align with Pope Francis’s vision that small individual changes can spark broader collective transformation.
COP 30 in Belém: what to expect
Scheduled for November, COP 30 will be the first UN Climate Conference held in the Amazon, a landmark for Brazil and the world. The event will address global commitments to cap planetary warming at 1.5°C, per the Paris Agreement. Belém, nestled in the Amazon’s heart, was chosen to spotlight the region’s role in combating climate change. Estimates suggest the conference will inject billions of reais into the local economy and create thousands of temporary jobs.
Pope Francis’s message bolsters the Church’s efforts to prepare for the event, urging Brazilians to advocate for effective public policies. The Amazon, which has lost 12% of its forest cover since the 1980s, will be a focal point, with discussions on funding for conservation and curbing illegal deforestation.
The gathering of world leaders in Belém will also shine a light on local communities, many of which suffer from the predatory exploitation of natural resources. The Catholic Church plans to ramp up its regional outreach throughout the year, raising environmental awareness among the faithful.