In a message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Francis urged the global Catholic community to act with hope and address the environmental crisis.
His message, titled “Hope and Act with Creation,” highlights the need for a shift in behavior and ethical action to tackle this issue.
Faith and Creation Care
Pope Francis began by referencing Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans, emphasizing that believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to act in charity. He urged Christians to live with hope, grounded in faith. “We are believers because the love of God has been poured into our hearts,” the Pope said.
Faith in Action: Caring for Creation
The Pope stressed that Christian life involves active faith, driven by charity and hope. He called for this hope to be a driving force for environmental advocacy, noting that “Christian hope does not disappoint, nor does it deceive.”
Ethical Limits on Technological Power
Addressing technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence, Pope Francis warned against unchecked power that can lead to domination over humanity and nature. He called for ethical limits to ensure that technology serves peace and development. “Unchecked power creates monsters and then turns against us,” the pontiff cautioned.
Interconnected Relationships and Environmental Responsibility
The Pope emphasized the interconnectedness of all relationships—with God, oneself, others, and the universe. He called for an integral restoration of these relationships, asserting that failing to address even one would disrupt the entire system. “When human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies,” he warned.
Collaborative Efforts for a Sustainable Future
Pope Francis urged the faithful to join forces with all people of good will in rethinking human power and its limits. He encouraged collaborative efforts toward a more ethical and sustainable future, saying, “To hope and act with creation means above all to join forces and to walk together with all men and women of good will.”
Theological and Ethical Dimensions of Creation Care
The Pope’s message highlighted that the protection of creation is not only an ethical issue but also a theological one, where the mystery of man intersects with the mystery of God. He called for a “creative” approach, grounded in the act of love by which God created human beings in Christ, and urged Christians to promote justice and peace through the universal destination of goods.
A Call for Ecological Conversion
Pope Francis called for a profound environmental conversion, urging believers to change their lifestyles to resist environmental degradation. This conversion involves rejecting arrogance and dominion over nature and embracing humility and care for all creation. He emphasized that this transformation is guided by the Holy Spirit, who calls the community of believers to vigilance and proactive engagement.
Vision for a Hopeful Future
The pontiff emphasized the hope that drives the Christian faith. He reminded believers that their actions in caring for creation are part of a larger divine plan, aimed at achieving the glory of God and the reconciliation of all creation. “Our lives can become a song of love for God, for humanity, with and for creation,” the Pope said.
As the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation approaches on September 1, 2024, Pope Francis challenged individuals and communities to reflect on their relationship with the environment and commit to change.
