“We plant trees not just for shade, but as living prayers for the Earth carrying forward the dream of Pope Francis, who taught us that caring for creation is an act of love, justice, and faith.” — Immaculate Kisembo
On April 21, 2025, the global Catholic community and people of goodwill mourned the death of Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, December 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025). The Holy Father passed away following complications from a stroke and cardiac arrest after a prolonged illness. As the spiritual head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 2013 to 2025, Pope Francis will be remembered not only for his deep compassion and reformative zeal but also as the Father of the Encyclical Laudato Si’, a historic document that reshaped global discourse on the environment and care for creation.
Photo credit: From the Biography of Pope Francis
The Name “Francis”: A Symbol of the Poor and the Earth
Upon his election, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to take the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century saint known for his humility, love of nature, and advocacy for the poor. Pope Francis recounted that the idea came to him after Cardinal Cláudio Hummes of Brazil embraced him during the conclave and whispered, “Don’t forget the poor.” This moment, he said, was pivotal in shaping his vision for a papacy dedicated to the marginalized and to environmental stewardship (Pope Francis, 2013).
The values of Saint Francis that influenced the Holy Father include:
- Commitment to poverty – Rejecting material wealth in favor of a simple, selfless life dedicated to service.
- Love for creation – Celebrating and protecting the natural world as a reflection of God’s beauty.
- Peace and compassion – Promoting reconciliation, nonviolence, and empathy across all human relationships.
Photo Credit: https://www.simplycatholic.com/st-francis-of-assisi-a-saint-for-the-environment/
Laudato Si’: A Revolutionary Encyclical
In 2015, Pope Francis published Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, the first papal encyclical devoted entirely to the environment. This groundbreaking document marked a turning point in the Church’s approach to ecological issues, emphasizing that environmental destruction and climate change are not only scientific or political concerns but also deeply moral and spiritual ones.
Key Teachings from Laudato Si’
- The Earth is our shared home – The Pope describes the planet as “a sister with whom we share our life” and a “beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us” (Laudato Si’, 1).
- Human impact and climate change – Pope Francis condemned pollution, deforestation, and climate change as human-made crises that disproportionately affect the poor.
- Global urgency – The encyclical framed climate change as an urgent global challenge, calling for immediate collective action.
- Throwaway culture – He criticized consumerism and waste, advocating for simpler lifestyles and ecological conversion.
- Biodiversity and ecosystems – The Pope emphasized the importance of protecting biodiversity, which is essential to the planet’s health and humanity’s survival.
- Call to ecological conversion – Francis urged a transformation of hearts and lifestyles, rooted in care, humility, and justice.
- Spiritual dimensions – Environmental degradation, he argued, is tied to moral decay. The ecological crisis is also a spiritual one.
Pope Francis is to be honored by his gift of the sweeping letter that focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” Photo Credit: Christopher Rice. Read the full encyclical
A Legacy That Will Live On
As the Laudato Youth Initiative, we are committed to continuing Pope Francis’ mission. Through our Laudato Si’ Clubs in schools, universities, and communities, we are living out his vision of ecological justice, spiritual renewal, and solidarity with the poor. We pledge to uphold his teachings and promote environmental stewardship inspired by his words and example.
Though we mourn deeply the loss of our Holy Father, we celebrate a legacy that transcends borders, faiths, and generations. His teachings will guide our steps as we confront the ecological challenges of our time with courage and hope.
Rest in Peace, Pope Francis — the Father of the Encyclical, Laudato Si’. Your vision and voice will echo for generations to come.
Bibliography
- (2015). Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
- Pope Francis. (2013). Address to Journalists, March 16, 2013. Vatican.va.
- Brock, G. (2020). Pope Francis and the Environment: A Theological and Ethical Exploration. Journal of Catholic Social Thought, 17(2), 101–118.
- McDonagh, S. (2016). Laudato Si’: An Irish Response. Dublin: Veritas Publications.
- Ivereigh, A. (2014). The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope. New York: Henry Holt and Co.
Immaculate Kisembo
Patron – Laudato Si Club of Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S.
