Pope Francis recently released his second encyclical called Laudato Si' ("Be praised" or "Praise be to you") which is a line from the Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi. Care for creation is something that has always been close to his heart. You might guess this from the fact that he chose to be called Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, who was famed for his concern for nature.
Pope Francis believes that there are significant ecological problems today that need to be addressed. They include not only problems in the natural environment but also in the human sphere, particularly among the poorest.
In this encyclical, the Pope discusses several themes including
- Pollution and climate change
- The issue of water
- Loss of biodiversity (i.e., the extinction of plants, animals, etc.)
- Decline in the quality of human life and the breakdown of society
- Global inequality
To read the Pope's entire encyclical,
click here.
Consider as a family what small part you might be able to play in furthering the efforts of Pope Francis and the Catholic community.
A Prayer For Our Earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters,
harming no one.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and
forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world
and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
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