Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, honored Francis of Assi with the name he selected for himself when he was elected Pope in 2013. The namesake of the Pope, Saint Francis, remains largely venerated by Catholics almost 800 years after his death, not only for his commitment to the natural world, but because of his deep devotion for Jesus Christ as well as his ministry for the poor.
At a time when Pope Francis assumed that the papacy, one of the central devotions of Saint-François, the environment, was already strongly politicized due to climate change. The Pope has often spoken directly both to the question and context, by approaching the failures of world leadership and calling for the reform of policies, in particular in preparation for remarks for the annual climate conference of the United Nation which was held in Dubai in 2023.
Francis' writings tackle many facets of climate change, including the intersection between science and religion, the need for cultural change in the way humans interact with creation and the role of endemic greed to the “ecological crisis”, as he called. In “”Laudato Si (praise): By treating our common house “, his historical climate encyclical, he asked:” Is it realistic to hope that those who are obsessed with the maximization of profits will stop to reflect on the environmental damage they will leave for future generations? When the profits alone count, there cannot be reflection on the rhythms of nature, its phases of disintegration and regeneration, or the complexity of ecosystems which can be seriously upset by human intervention. »»
President Trump and his allies do not communicate on nature, pollution and climate change in such terms. When they approach the role of fossil interests or businesses and the environment, it tends to be summarized as “Unravel, baby, perceive. “The Trump administration is actively encourage human intervention in nature and reject climate science. And yet, the president and the other Republicans also highlight the importance of ensuring that the Americans have Access to “clean air and clean water. “”
This is, in fact, what Francis also wanted for everyone. In his Message for World Youth Day of the Catholic Church 10 years ago, he said so: “We must show a healthy concern for creation, for the purity of our air, our water and our food …”
Isn't that what Americans want too?
According to a Recent survey GallupThe ideologies of the American left and right are the most polarized they have been in the past 30 years. But nature, clean air and clean water are all problems that everyone can rally.
The day of the earth, that the passage of Pope Francis allows us for a moment to think about this, and on his words, including those written for the climate conference In Dubai: “Me too, which bears the name Francis, with the sincere urgency of a prayer, I want to leave you with this message: leave our divisions and unite our strengths!” And with the help of God, let's emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to transform our common future in advance of a new and radiant day. ”
Allison Agsten is the director of the Center for Climate Journalism and Communication, at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism of the USC.
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Ideas expressed in the play
- Pope Francis Encyclical Laudato yes emphasizes that climate change is mainly caused by human activity and calls for urgent collective action to treat environmental deterioration, forming it as a moral obligation rooted in the care of “our common house”(1)(3)(4).
- The document criticizes the systems for profit that prioritizes economic gain in relation to environmental sustainability, wondering if those who have focused on maximizing profits will take into account long -term ecological damage(4)(5).
- Francis connects environmental stewardship to social justice, urging society to hear “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and plead for policies which protect vulnerable populations affected in a disproportionate manner by climate change(2)(4).
- He pleads for an “ecological conversion”, urging individuals and communities to adopt lifestyles aligned with environmental responsibility and the spiritual reverence of nature in the context of the creation of God(2)(5).
Different views on the subject
- Critics of Francis' environmental position often favor economic growth and energy independence, arguing that policies aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels could hinder industrial progress and job creation, although this perspective is not directly addressed in the sources provided(4)(5).
- Certain decision -makers and leaders of the industry reject scientific consensus on climate change focused on man, rejecting calls for regulatory action as exaggerated or politically motivated(4).
- The integration of faith and environmentalism through encyclical has been encountered by skepticism by those who consider climate action to be distinct from religious doctrine, preferring secular frameworks to solve ecological problems(5).
