Schwarzenegger at Vatican Calls to “Terminate” Fossil Fuels | Global Climate Action 2025

Schwarzenegger at Vatican in Mission to “Terminate” Fossil Fuels

On 30 September 2025, Hollywood star and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived at the Vatican to support Pope Leo XIV’s climate initiative and call for a global move away from fossil fuels. Channeling his iconic "Terminator" persona, Schwarzenegger declared his mission was to "terminate" pollution and destructive energy practices that endanger the planet.

During a Vatican press briefing, he emphasized that the fight against climate change is not only a political or technical issue but also a moral and spiritual obligation. He said that God put us on this Earth to leave it in a better state than we received it, urging Catholics and people of all faiths to join the environmental movement.

The event came just before a three-day Vatican climate conference, set to gather religious leaders, scientists, UN representatives, and civil society experts. The conference marks the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’s landmark environmental encyclical Laudato Si, with a focus on urging global leaders to cut carbon emissions and take stronger action against climate change.

Schwarzenegger criticized U.S. federal climate policies, arguing they remain insufficient, while highlighting the role of local governments and citizen-led initiatives. He stressed that the Catholic Church, with its nearly 1.4 billion followers worldwide, can play a decisive role in shaping a stronger and more united global climate response.

According to Vatican officials, Schwarzenegger will also meet Pope Leo XIV directly and participate in the conference’s opening session. Experts and religious leaders from Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia are expected to address climate justice, environmental responsibility, and the global social impact of ecological collapse.

Some critics dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt tied to Schwarzenegger’s Hollywood fame, but he countered that his celebrity status provides a platform to amplify urgent climate messages. He said that if his reputation as the "Terminator" helps reach more people, then he will gladly use it to fight for the planet.

The mission comes at a time of intensifying global crises — from rising sea levels to deadly heatwaves and catastrophic storms. Scientists warn that without rapid action, the consequences of climate change will escalate beyond repair.

Now, all eyes turn to the Vatican conference and Schwarzenegger’s role in mobilizing faith communities and political leaders. If successful, this initiative could open a new chapter in global climate action — where religious and political powers unite to protect the future of the planet.