“The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.” – from Pope Francis’s 2015 Papal Encyclical
A Brief News Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper
Posted April 21st, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Pope Francis was a strong advocate for action on the climate crisis.
I am not a Catholic, nor am I, in any real way at all, a church goer.
But you don’t have to be both or either of those to hold Pope Francis, who died this April 21st at age 88, in high regard for the powerful voice he was around the world for action on the climate crisis.
Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Beuno Aires, Agentina and who had a background in science and the humanities, took his papal name from St. Francis of Assisi, the 12th/13 century Catholic friar who is known by many for his passion for wildlife and the environment, and for embracing a Biblical proverb, paraphrased in more modern times to read; “Where there is no vision, the people parish.”
In that spirit, two years in to his papacy, Pope Francis – after inviting to the Vatican for input a group of experts on climate change, including Canadian social activist and advocate for climate action Naomi Klein – released an Encyclical in 2015 that remains, to this day, one of the strongest calls by any religious leader around the world for addressing the climate crisis.
It is good to remember, on the day of Pope Francis’s death and one day before the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, some of what that Encyclical had to say.
“Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years,” the Encyclical reads.
“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up,” the Encyclical goes on to ask.
Then, cutting through the gas-lighting of so many right-wing climate deniers and the corporate interests they so slavishly represent, the Encyclical goes on to say; “A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system. … A number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and others) released mainly as a result of human activity.”
The Pope then leaves on a positive note – one I believe we should all take to heart as we come to terms with what role we can play in addressing the climate crisis –
“Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start,” the Encyclical concludes.
“We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.”
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Amen to that and R.I.P. Pope Francis – Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
A P.S. on a statement Pope Francis made in 2016 on the loss of biodiversity across regions of this planet –
“We must not be indifferent or resigned to the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of ecosystems, often caused by our irresponsible and selfish behaviour. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence. We have no such right. …”
“We must never forget,” he reminded us later, “that the natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone.”
To watch an interview of Naomi Klein talking about Pope Francis on climate change, click on the screem immediately below –
To read the entire text of Pope Francis’s 2015 Encyclical, click on – https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
For related stories click on the links below –
Pope Francis recruits Naomi Klein in climate change battle | Pope Francis | The Guardian
For other issues Pope Francis addressed, here are a few more links –
Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey in Alberta for Pope’s Apology | Niagara At Large
Prime Minister, Pope Discuss Hot-Button Issues on Residential Schools | Niagara At Large
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