The unique collection of original songs meant as a clarion call for Christians to recognize their responsibility in Creation care, A New Heaven and a New Earth was highlighted during the Vatican’s 10th anniversary celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, held last month in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Attended by Pope Leo XIV, the internationally livestreamed event premiered the music video of the collection’s “Our Common Home.”

In his remarks, Pope Leo XIV reflected, “We are one family, with one Father, who makes the sun to rise and sends rain on everyone (cf. Mt 5:45). We inhabit the same planet, and we must care for it together.” He concluded his remarks with a question that concerns each of us. “God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created (cf. Gen 2:15), for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters (cf. Gen 4:9; Jn 13:34). What will be our answer?”

A video clip of the premiere can be seen now at www.instagram.com/p/DRIgIhgkU7V while additional background on the Laudato Si’ Movement and the “Raising Hope” anniversary gathering can be found at https://laudatosimovement.org and http://raisinghope.earth/conference.

A group of well-known Christian artists have responded to the encyclical, joining forces for the A New Heaven and a New Earth album project released just over a year ago. Anchor track, “Our Common Home,” features Jason Gray, Jason Roy (Building 429), Don Chaffer (Waterdeep) and Phil Joel (Newsboys) and was written as a thank you to Pope Francis. (See song story at New Release Today.) The single has an organic, Americana feel along with a pop sensibility and a lyrical refrain inspired by the Laudato Si’.

Along with “Our Common Home,” A New Heaven and a New Earth features seven additional songs, one each written and recorded by GRAMMY and Stellar Award nominated, twice Dove Award winning, No.1 Billboard charting Aaron Cole; award-winning singer / songwriter Jason Gray; GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Awards-winning Building 429 frontman Jason Roy; chart-topping Micah Tyler; Mexican-American recording artist, actress and producer MŌRIAH; former Newsboys bassist and solo artist Phil Joel; and beloved Christian duo Waterdeep, comprised of husband and wife Don and Lori Chaffer. This elite roster of contributors resulted in thoughtfully written songs steeped in a vibrant array of sounds representing everything from pop, rock and hip-hop to R&B, folk and Americana.