(LifeSiteNews) — Actor-turned-California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is pro-abortion and pro-gay “marriage,” spoke at a Vatican press conference Tuesday welcoming Catholics’ contributions to the environmental movement.

Schwarzenegger spoke at a Holy See Press Office press conference ahead of the “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference to be held in Castel Gandolfo on October 1-3, when more than 1,000 political and religious leaders as well as “climate experts” will gather, according to Vatican News.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Vatican! Pope Leo’s Vatican continues to platform pro-abortion and LGBT activist politicians. pic.twitter.com/kwIk34sPB2

— John-Henry Westen (@JhWesten) September 30, 2025

Numbering the Catholics and priests worldwide, Schwarzenegger said, “Imagine the power of communication that we have with that many people getting involved. Every single one of those 1.4 billion Catholics can be a crusader for the environment.”

“I’m so excited … that the Catholic Church and the Vatican are getting involved in this because we need their help,” he continued.

The upcoming climate conference, at which Pope Leo XIV will speak, celebrates the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si, which stokes fear over “climate change” theory and supposedly dire consequences of failing to take drastic measures to fight such change.

The conference will launch the “Laudato Si’ 10” pledge by which attending parties will specify their plan to “fulfill the vision and mandate of the 2015 papal encyclical,” according to Lorna Gold, executive director of the Laudato Si’ Movement.

Schwarzenegger affirmed his commitment to furthering the “climate change” cause before the press conference, telling Vatican News, “God gave me this gift that can communicate the issue; I have the will, and I can see it, and I will do everything that I can to make this a better world.”

The Vatican under Leo has thus far wholly embraced Francis’ focus on climate change and “care for creation,” having issued a votive Mass inspired by Laudato Si, and opened an ecological training center on the grounds of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo.

Schwarzenegger’s invitation to the Vatican continues the tradition of both Leo and Francis of hosting or meeting with pro-abortion and pro-homosexuality public figures and clergy.

As former governor of California, Schwarzenegger clearly affirmed his support for legal abortion and for embryonic stem cell research, and he has a heavily pro-LGBT history as well. 

In 2013, he vowed to fight the reinstatement of traditional marriage in California, and he had previously officiated at two homosexual “weddings,” signed bills forcing schools to promote homosexuality, and signed legislation recognizing out-of-state homosexual “marriages.”