Pope Francis has followed up his writing of Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home, by making September 1st a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. To emphasize the need to be good stewards of this planet, Pope Francis also announced a new work of mercy: care for our common home.  Pope Francis says, “human life itself and everything it embraces includes care for our common home.”

He continues in his message released today, “As a spiritual work of mercy, care for our common home calls for a grateful contemplation of God’s world which allows us to discover in each thing a teaching which God wishes to hand on to us. As a corporal work of mercy, care for our common home requires simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness and makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world.”

Pope Francis addresses some tough issues in his message and does not shy away from describing the major negative impacts humans have had on the planet. He says, “God gave us a bountiful garden, but we have turned it into a polluted wasteland of debris, desolation and filth.” He continues, “We must not be indifferent or resigned to the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of ecosystems, often caused by our irresponsible and selfish behavior. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.”

In the sixth section of his message, he offers hope that God is with us and will never abandons us. Let us end with the prayer he wrote:

“O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
who are so precious in your eyes…

God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
God of mercy, may we receive your forgiveness
and convey your mercy throughout our common home.”

Praise be to you!

Amen.

The full message released today can be found Here and a also Video of press conference about the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation