Villanova University Honors Cardinal Czerny with New Sustainability Award
In a significant step towards integrating sustainability with ethical leadership, Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, is set to receive Villanova University’s newly introduced Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal. This prestigious award will be conferred by Pope Leo XIV during an October conference in Rome.
A New Honor for Sustainability Leadership
Rome, Italy (Sept. 14, 2026) — Villanova University has announced Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, as the inaugural recipient of the Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal. This award acknowledges extraordinary leadership in the realms of sustainability, ethics, and integral human development.
The award ceremony will occur on October 13, 2026, at Borgo Laudato Si’ in the Vatican’s Pontifical Gardens. This event coincides with the 2026 Villanova University International Sustainability Conference, themed “Responding to the Cries of the Earth and the Poor,” held in Rome from October 12-15.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ; Photo by Paul Haring
Recognition of a Lifetime of Service
The announcement was made by The Rev. Peter Donohue, OSA, PhD, President of Villanova University, during a press conference in Rome. The event also included appearances by Cardinal Czerny and Dr. Manuela Priesemuth-Payan, Villanova Faculty Director for Ethics and Social Responsibility.
“The Medal reflects a deeply held belief at Villanova: care for our common home and care for one another are inseparable,” said Father Donohue. “Cardinal Czerny’s work has shown us that care for creation cannot be separated from care for people. This is precisely the kind of leadership the Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal seeks to recognize.”
The medal, created by Villanova University in 2026, honors individuals dedicated to ecological responsibility and social justice, focusing on vulnerable populations and responsible resource management.
Cardinal Czerny remarked, “This honor belongs to a shared effort across the Church and beyond to respond to the one cry of the poor and of the earth.”
Born in Czechoslovakia and later moving to Canada, Czerny’s career has been marked by his commitment to social justice and ecological care. He has served in various capacities, including founding the African Jesuit AIDS Network and leading the Vatican’s efforts in promoting integral human development.
Villanova University’s Commitment to Sustainability
Villanova University’s dedication to sustainability is deeply rooted in its Augustinian Catholic mission. The Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal, awarded biennially, recognizes leaders whose work supports environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic responsibility.
The university has a special connection with Pope Leo XIV, who studied at Villanova and received an honorary degree in 2014.
The 2026 International Sustainability Conference
The upcoming International Sustainability Conference in Rome will gather around 300 participants to address global challenges related to the environment, poverty, and social inequality. The conference is supported by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education.
Attendees will engage in discussions aimed at fostering sustainable and equitable communities, culminating in the Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal award ceremony at Castel Gandolfo.
For more details about the conference, please visit HERE.
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