Pope Francis has announced that he will release a follow-up document on the protection of nature, stating that a “terrible world war” against the environment is currently taking place. The papal statement, which will be issued on 4 October, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment, will serve as a continuation of his 2015 encyclical on the climate crisis.
Describing nature as a “sacred gift from the creator,” Pope Francis called on individuals to stand with the “victims of environmental and climatic injustice” and demanded an end to the “senseless war on our common home.” The pontiff’s previous encyclical, Laudato Si, had a profound impact on the 2015 climate conference, influencing the establishment of goals to limit global heating, according to John Kerry, the US climate envoy and former secretary of state.
Over the past eight years since Laudato Si was published, the world has witnessed an increase in extreme weather events, including more intense and prolonged heatwaves, more frequent wildfires, and more severe hurricanes. Pope Francis emphasized that these events highlight the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis and called on world leaders to take concrete steps to limit polluting emissions.
The upcoming document will be an apostolic exhortation, another form of papal writing. However, it is worth noting that after the release of Laudato Si, some Catholics aligned with conservative political movements and corporate interests, particularly in the United States, vehemently criticized the pope for supporting the majority scientific opinion that attributes global heating, at least in part, to human activity.
Pope Francis’s commitment to addressing the environmental crisis and his call for global action reflect the growing recognition of the urgent need to protect and preserve our planet. As the world eagerly awaits the release of his follow-up document, it is hoped that it will inspire meaningful change and encourage individuals, governments, and corporations to prioritize the protection of nature and combat the ongoing war against the environment.
What impact is Pope Francis hoping to achieve with his upcoming apostolic exhortation on the protection of nature, and how does he believe it will contribute to addressing the climate crisis
Pope Francis: Urgent Action Needed to Combat “Terrible World War” Against the Environment
Pope Francis has announced that he will release a follow-up document on the protection of nature, declaring that the world is currently engaged in a “terrible world war” against the environment. The papal statement is set to be issued on 4 October, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment, and will serve as a continuation of his influential 2015 encyclical on the climate crisis.
In his announcement, Pope Francis referred to nature as a “sacred gift from the creator” and implored individuals to stand with the “victims of environmental and climatic injustice.” He called for an immediate end to the “senseless war on our common home.” The pontiff’s previous encyclical, Laudato Si, had a profound impact on the 2015 climate conference, where it played a pivotal role in shaping goals to combat global warming, according to John Kerry, the US climate envoy and former secretary of state.
Since the publication of Laudato Si, the world has experienced a surge in extreme weather events over the past eight years. These events include more intense and prolonged heatwaves, more frequent wildfires, and more severe hurricanes. Pope Francis emphasized that these occurrences underscore the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis and called on global leaders to take concrete steps to reduce polluting emissions.
The upcoming document will be an apostolic exhortation, another form of papal writing. However, it is important to note that following the release of Laudato Si, certain conservative political movements and corporate interests, particularly in the United States, vehemently criticized the pope for supporting the consensus scientific opinion that attributes global warming, at least in part, to human activity.
Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to addressing the environmental crisis and his call for global action reflect the growing recognition of the urgent need to protect and preserve our planet. With anticipation mounting for the release of his follow-up document, it is hoped that it will ignite meaningful change and inspire individuals, governments, and corporations to prioritize the protection of nature and combat the ongoing assault on the environment.
I am glad to see Pope Francis continuing to raise awareness and take action on the urgent issue of protecting our environment. We all have a responsibility to be stewards of the Earth and combat the “terrible world war” against our natural world.
I admire the Pope’s commitment to addressing the global environmental crisis and his willingness to use his platform to promote change. His follow-up document is sure to provide valuable insight and guidance for protecting nature.