Schwarzenegger Calls Pope ‘Action Hero’ for Climate Acts

Castel gandolfo: Hollywood star and climate activist Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday called Pope Leo XIV an “Action Hero”, citing the title of one of his films, for his actions on the climate since becoming pontiff.

According to Ansa News Agency, Schwarzenegger made these remarks at a conference held at Castel Gandolfo, marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Leo’s predecessor Francis’s landmark climate encyclical, Laudato si’. The Austrian-born former California governor and star of Terminator and Last Action Hero expressed his admiration by stating, “I’m sitting next to a hero, an Action Hero,” while pointing to Pope Leo, eliciting laughter from those present.

Schwarzenegger further explained his statement, noting that while Pope Leo might not fit the typical image of an action hero, often depicted as muscular and armed, he considers him a hero for his environmental initiatives. He highlighted that as soon as Pope Leo ascended to the papacy, he ensured the installation of solar panels in the Vatican, making it one of the first countries to achieve carbon neutrality. This statement was met with applause from the audience.

In response, Pope Leo humbly remarked, “I am not the Action Hero, but all of you who are working on this,” acknowledging the collective efforts of those dedicated to environmental protection and the promotion of integral ecology.