"Arnie" at the Vatican – Cardinal: "Arnold, an idol of our youth"

Even the Brazilian Cardinal Jaime Spengler was visibly impressed by his neighbour on the press podium: "Arnold, an idol of our youth, from the cinema ...", Spengler greeted the Hollywood star, former governor of California and climate activist Arnold Schwarzenegger. He then added: "I thought you were taller, but that may be due to the way you look on screen."

No matter how many centimetres taller Schwarzenegger (78) is, on Tuesday at the Vatican he showed himself to be a titan, a fisher of men for climate protection and a great communicator. On the podium in the Vatican press room, he made a fiery appeal for courageous commitment to "real change": people should not rely on their governments when it comes to climate protection, but should take action themselves. "Don't just talk, do it!" He expressly praised the Papal States for their environmental policy and the use of solar energy, for example; this would soon make the Vatican one of the first climate-neutral states - "The True Action Heroes!", the former Hollywood star alluded to one of his roles.

"Absolutely honoured" to meet the Pope

Schwarzenegger made his comments ahead of the international conference "Raising Hope for Climate Justice", which is taking place from Wednesday to Friday in Castel Gandolfo to mark the tenth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis' environmental doctrine "Laudato si'". Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff born in the USA, will preside over the opening ceremony on Wednesday. Schwarzenegger, who was born in Styria but has also been a US citizen since 1983, said he felt "absolutely honoured" by this invitation and was very much looking forward to meeting Leo. It is so important that the Catholic Church and the Vatican are committed to climate protection, "because we need their help", said the founder of the "Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative".

"1.4 billion Catholics, 200,000 churches, around 400,000 priests: imagine the power you have." Each individual could be a fighter for climate protection, the politician pointed out.

One of his key messages: People should not be discouraged. When he was governor of California, the Bush administration had no interest in supporting his efforts to protect the environment, on the contrary. Nevertheless, he passed one stricter environmental law after another. "When they tried to stop us, we went to court, including the Supreme Court" - with success. "Hasta la vista, baby!", Schwarzenegger laughingly quoted from one of his successful films.

He emphasised that his government had installed a million solar roofs and created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the photovoltaic sector. The former governor emphasised that he had thus succeeded in promoting both climate protection and the economy.

Don't listen to "naysayers"

Even as a bodybuilder and actor, he had already adopted the rule of never listening to "nay-sayers", said the 78-year-old. He is therefore optimistic that the commitment to climate protection can become a global movement if it succeeds in touching people's hearts. "I experienced that with the fitness movement 50 years ago: people laughed about it at first." Today, there is no hotel, barracks, police station or university without a fitness room. "Everyone works out, so will the fight against pollution, together we will succeed."

Schwarzenegger appealed to people's purchasing behaviour: "Do you really need jeans made in China, a suit made in the USA?" Cargo ships cause an immense amount of global pollution. "Shop local!" he demanded. "In Italy, you have the best of everything." Children should also be taught at an early age to switch off the lights when they leave the room. He had also done this with his own children, "Arnie" said, while sharing another little anecdote.

"God sent us into the world to leave it a better place than we inherited it," said Schwarzenegger, explaining his motivation for his commitment and participation in the climate conference, which is expected to be attended by around 400 experts from science, politics and the church. "I don't get a dollar for it, by the way, but it's the greatest joy for me to make the world a better place."