About the Medal
The Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal is a newly established award created by Villanova University to recognize outstanding global leadership at the intersection of sustainability, ethics and integral human development.
It is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing sustainability and ecological responsibility in their communities and beyond.
The Medal is named after Pope Leo XIV, who elevated the Church's role in global environmental responsibility. His leadership models ecological care by protecting vulnerable communities and championing systems that sustain both our earth and one another. Through his encyclicals, speeches and guidance to the global Catholic Church, he continually addresses the connection between the needs of the earth and the poor.
Presented every two years during the Villanova University International Sustainability Conference, the Medal seeks to inspire leadership, encourage innovation and promote collaboration in building a more just and sustainable world.
The recipient of the Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal will be announced in September 2026 and awarded on October 13, 2026 at the Medal Ceremony.
About Pope Leo XIV
The first Augustinian Pope, Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost—is the 267th leader of the global Catholic church, the first pontiff from the United States and a 1977 graduate of Villanova University.
The Inaugural Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal
What does it mean to care for our common home — and for one another? Sustainability is about more than the environment. It’s about people, dignity and our shared responsibility for our common home. This October, Villanova’s International Sustainability Conference comes to Rome, where the inaugural Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal will be presented by the Holy Father, recognizing outstanding leadership in sustainability and integral human development.
Design of the Medal
The Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal is forged in bronze with 18K gold plating. The medal is crafted by the artisans at Wendall August Forge – a Pennsylvania based company with whom Villanova University has a long-standing relationship. Partnering with a small, local business is in keeping with the values of the university and the Office for Sustainability. The medal’s design is a collaborative effort by conference organizers, Villanova University’s graphic design team, and the artisans at Wendall August Forge.
The obverse of the medal includes an image of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV and the name of the medal.
The reverse side includes the name of Villanova University, His Holiness’s seal, the name of the recipient, and the date of the Medal’s presentation.
