Arnold Schwarzenegger, the action star turned environmental advocate, made headlines this week as he threw his considerable influence behind the Vatican’s ambitious campaign to combat global warming. Speaking from Vatican City on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Schwarzenegger downplayed the Trump administration’s persistent skepticism about climate change, instead focusing on the power of individual action, local policies, and the unique moral leadership offered by the Catholic Church.
The occasion was a significant one: Schwarzenegger was in Rome to headline a three-day climate conference marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). According to The Associated Press, the encyclical, considered one of Francis' most enduring legacies, recast the fight to save the planet as an urgent moral imperative. It sparked a broad, grassroots movement within the Catholic Church and beyond—a movement that Pope Leo XIV has since fully embraced and made his own.
Schwarzenegger, who served as the Republican governor of California from 2003 to 2011, has dedicated much of his post-political career to environmental causes. His Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative was one of the primary backers of the Vatican conference, which took place at the Holy See’s newly inaugurated environmental educational center in Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome. The event drew scientists, policymakers, clergy, and activists from around the globe, all united by the goal of “terminating” global warming—a play on Schwarzenegger’s iconic film persona that he’s clearly happy to own.
During a press conference at the Vatican, Schwarzenegger was asked about President Donald Trump’s recent comments at the United Nations General Assembly, where Trump had once again dismissed climate change as a “con job.” Trump, a longtime critic of climate science and renewable energy policies, has overseen the rollback of landmark environmental regulations, withdrawn funding for climate projects, and promoted oil and gas production under his administration’s “American energy dominance” agenda.
Schwarzenegger, never one to mince words, responded pointedly: “Don’t use the federal government as an excuse,” he told reporters at the Vatican briefing, according to The Associated Press. “It’s an easy way out.”
He went on to recall his own experience as governor, when he faced off with the Bush administration over California’s efforts to implement stricter environmental regulations. “We said ‘Hasta la vista, baby,’” Schwarzenegger quipped, referencing his famous line from Terminator 2. That legal victory, he suggested, was proof that determined state-level action can make a difference—regardless of what’s happening in Washington.
But Schwarzenegger didn’t stop there. He emphasized that the real power to change the world doesn’t rest solely in the hands of national governments. Instead, he argued, it’s about the everyday choices people make—like turning off lights when leaving a room—and the proactive policies adopted by local and state governments, such as promoting solar power. “Far more important,” he insisted, “were individual choices about turning off lights when you leave a room and state policies promoting solar power.”
In Schwarzenegger’s view, the Catholic Church is uniquely positioned to lead this charge. With its global reach—1.4 billion members and 400,000 priests—the Church has what he called a “critical mass” of people capable of advancing environmental initiatives. The Vatican’s current campaign, he suggested, could serve as a moral rallying point for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, inspiring action at every level of society.
The conference itself was as much a celebration as a call to arms. Ten years after Pope Francis issued Laudato Si, the document’s influence is still being felt. As The Associated Press notes, the encyclical cast the fight against climate change as a matter of faith and stewardship, urging believers to protect “God’s creation.” Pope Leo XIV, Francis’ successor, has taken up this mantle with enthusiasm, ensuring that environmental activism remains central to the Church’s mission.
Schwarzenegger’s presence at the Vatican underscored the increasingly global and interfaith nature of the climate movement. His own journey—from Hollywood superstar to Republican governor to international climate advocate—has been marked by a willingness to cross political and ideological boundaries. Since leaving office in 2011, he’s become a prominent voice for bipartisan climate action, arguing that environmentalism need not be a partisan issue.
Indeed, Schwarzenegger’s approach stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s. While Trump has dismissed climate change as a hoax and rolled back environmental protections, Schwarzenegger has urged Americans not to be discouraged by federal inaction. “Don’t use the federal government as an excuse,” he repeated, pointing out that real change often begins at the grassroots level.
His message found a receptive audience at the Vatican, where Church leaders have long argued that caring for the environment is a moral duty. The newly opened environmental educational center at Castel Gandolfo, where the conference was held, is intended to serve as a hub for education, research, and advocacy, bringing together faith leaders, scientists, and activists in pursuit of a common goal.
Of course, not everyone shares Schwarzenegger’s optimism. Critics of the Vatican’s initiative argue that moral exhortations alone are unlikely to move the needle on global emissions, especially in the absence of strong national policies. Others point out that the Catholic Church itself has faced criticism for its environmental record in some regions.
Nevertheless, Schwarzenegger remains undeterred. He insists that the combined force of individual action, local policy, and the Church’s moral leadership can have a profound impact—especially if enough people get on board. As he told reporters, “With its 1.4 billion people, 400,000 priests, the Catholic Church also has a critical mass of people who can back environmental initiatives.”
As the world grapples with increasingly dire warnings from scientists about the consequences of unchecked global warming, the Vatican’s renewed commitment—and Schwarzenegger’s high-profile endorsement—offer a reminder that the fight for the planet’s future isn’t just a political issue. It’s a moral one, too, with stakes that transcend borders, parties, and creeds.
For Schwarzenegger, the message is simple: the time to act is now, and everyone has a role to play. Whether through small daily choices, local advocacy, or global faith-based initiatives, the path forward requires both courage and cooperation. And as he’s proven time and again, sometimes all it takes is a little star power—and a lot of determination—to help move the world.
