Hollywood actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio penned a heartfelt tribute to the late Pope Francis, honoring the pontiff's significant contributions to climate advocacy and global environmental reform.

"Pope Francis was a transformational leader — not only for the Catholic Church, but also for environmental reform and activism," Leonardo said in his Instagram post.

The Oscar-winning actor praised Pope Francis for his unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighting the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ as a powerful call to action.

"He demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, most notably through his groundbreaking 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’. This powerful document served as a clarion call for a fundamental shift in how we relate to the planet," he remarked.

The actor went on: "Emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life, Pope Francis urged individuals, communities, institutions, and world leaders to unite in caring for our common home. His words helped catalyze momentum ahead of the global 2015 COP21 conference, ultimately contributing to the formation of the Paris Agreement."

Leonardo also shared a personal reflection, recalling his encounter with the Pope during the making of his 2016 documentary Before the Flood, which tackled climate change.

"During the filming of my documentary Before the Flood in 2016, I had the honor of sitting down with Pope Francis for a conversation on the urgent need to address climate change. That experience was enlightening, deeply moving, and thought provoking," he stated.

Leonardo also highlighted the Pope’s continued advocacy in 2023 through his apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, a follow-up to Laudato Si’, which called for urgent climate action.

"In 2023, Pope Francis expanded upon Laudato Si’ with the publication of Laudate Deum: Apostolic Exhortation on the Climate Crisis. In it, he renewed his call for immediate and decisive climate action, reminding us that 'we are part of Nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it,' and that we must not view the world from the outside, but from within," he shared.

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Leonardo concluded his tribute by honoring Pope Francis as "one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time."

"His legacy will continue to inspire generations of environmentalists around the world. May he rest in peace," he added.