Laudato Si’: A look back on Pope Francis’s environmental legacy

The Vatican’s College of Cardinals is set to convene in Rome to choose a new leader for the Catholic Church after the passing of Pope Francis. As the church gets ready for the papal conclave, the world is reflecting on Francis’s legacy and his views on the role of women in the church, LGBTQ+ rights, and the plight of migrants and refugees. An essential aspect of this evaluation is his 2015 encyclical on climate change, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.

This encyclical is notable for its rational yet urgent call for everyone – “every person living on this planet” – to ponder the impact of their actions on the only planet we inhabit. In the document, Francis likened our shared home to a sister and mother, expressing concern about humanity’s exploitation of the Earth, leading to severe consequences like climate change, extreme weather conditions, and loss of biodiversity.

Unlike the measured tone of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, Francis did not shy away from describing the Earth as “an immense pile of filth.” He emphasized the need to address the economic roots of the climate crisis, criticizing unsustainable growth models, blind faith in technological solutions, and the culture of wasteful consumption.

The encyclical also touched upon social issues such as the rise of social media, disconnecting people from nature, and the fallacy of infinite economic growth. Francis challenged the notion that unlimited consumption benefits society, debunking the myth that Earth’s resources are limitless. He even criticized the superficial “green” rhetoric prevalent in eco-capitalist circles.

While some critics dismissed Francis’s views as Marxist, he continued to advocate for a fairer global economy that prioritizes the well-being of all people. Despite facing opposition on topics like abortion, Francis underscored the interconnectedness of reproductive rights, poverty alleviation, and climate justice in combating the climate crisis.

In his subsequent work, “Praise God,” Francis reiterated the importance of collective action against climate change, condemning attempts to blame the poor for environmental issues. Laudato Si’ serves as a poignant reminder that the climate crisis is a shared concern that transcends religious boundaries and underscores the moral imperative to protect our planet for future generations.