Pope Francis has announced that he will issue a follow-up document on the protection of nature, a move that comes as the world teeters on the brink of a catastrophic environmental crisis. The pontiff is expected to issue the document on October 4, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment, a fitting tribute to a man who is revered for his devotion to the natural world.
As Francis sees it, nature is a “sacred gift from the Creator”, a precious resource that is being callously exploited by humanity. The pope urges people to rally to the side of the “victims of environmental and climatic injustice”, those who are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis and its devastating consequences. He implores everyone to join him in his efforts to end what he describes as “the senseless war on our common home”, a war that is ravaging the planet and threatening the very survival of humanity.
The pope’s words are particularly poignant, given the dire state of the environment. In the eight years since he issued his groundbreaking encyclical, Laudato Si, the world has seen a steady increase in extreme weather events, from intense heatwaves to devastating wildfires and monstrous hurricanes. These disasters are a stark reminder of the urgent need for action, and Francis is calling on world leaders to take concrete steps to reduce polluting emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Pope Francis (Via Pope Francis/Twitter)Despite his efforts, however, the pope has faced fierce criticism from some quarters. Some Catholics, allied with conservative political movements and corporate interests, have attacked him for questioning the dominant narrative on global warming. They have portrayed his arguments as a threat to the fundamental principles of the Church, and have vilified him as a “radical” or a “socialist”.
But Francis is undeterred. He knows that the stakes are too high, and that the planet cannot afford to wait any longer for decisive action. As he sees it, the climate crisis is a moral imperative, a call to duty that requires everyone to work together to protect the environment. He is urging world leaders to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal, one that is both morally just and environmentally sustainable.
The pope’s words are a powerful reminder of the gravity of the situation, and the need for immediate action. As he puts it, “the Earth begs for mercy from the Creator’s fingers”. It is up to us, and to our leaders, to answer that call and to work towards a brighter, more sustainable future.