Vatican ecological and dietary initiatives

The Vatican has taken practical and doctrinal steps toward ecological sustainability. Initially, the Vatican Gardens transitioned a 400-square-meter plot near the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to a 100% organic farming model. Managed by the Gardens and Environment Service, this initiative prioritizes seasonal rhythms and ecological respect over high production, utilizing methods such as crop rotation and seaweed-based fertilizers to align with the principles of Pope Francis’s encyclical ‘Laudato si’’.

Following these practical measures, the Vatican expanded its ecological stance through a new doctrinal document titled ‘Cuidar nuestra Casa común. Respuesta responsable y fraterna al Dios trinitario’. Approved by Pope Leo XIV and prepared by the International Theological Commission, the text offers support for vegetarianism as an ethical response to the global environmental crisis. The document frames meat consumption through the lens of “moderation, proportion and necessity,” moving the conversation toward an integral ecology that emphasizes animal welfare and responsible consumption.