In his message “Seeds of Hope” for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be celebrated on 1 September, Pope Leo makes clear the urgency for environmental justice as “an expression of our faith and humanity”.
Throughout his short pontificate, Pope Leo has continued his call to stop the tragedy of war and to appeal for peace. The strong connection between war, the degradation of the planet and the impact on the vulnerable, the most marginalised and the excluded is stressed in this document.
In his message, Pope Leo calls on Christians and all people of goodwill to recognise “that our earth is being ravaged. On all sides, injustice, violations of international law and the rights of peoples, grave inequalities and the greed that fuels them are spawning deforestation, pollution and the loss of biodiversity… Extreme natural phenomena caused by climate changes provoked by human activity are growing in intensity and frequency …the human and ecological devastation being wrought by armed conflicts.”
Concrete actions are necessary: “Now is the time to follow words with deeds“, says Pope Leo, calling on us to work “with love and perseverence…and thus contribute to the growth of peace and the renewal of hope“.
Read the Message in full here