On the Papal Encyclical "Laudato Si"

In 1226, one of the Catholic Church's most beloved saints authored a poem that has come to be known as the Canticle for All Creation. Seven hundred and eighty-nine years later, Pope Francis used that poem as the backdrop for his long awaited encyclical on the environment, borrowing the Canticle's phrase Laudato si (Praised be) for its title. That encyclical was released on June 18, at the Vatican in Rome.

The issues that it addresses were mentioned early on in his pontificate as cause for international concern. The encyclical's subtitle gives insight into its major theme: on the care of the common home. That phrase, indeed, receives Pope Francis' heartfelt attention.

The Holy Father addresses his words not to the "bishops of the world," as most encyclicals do, but rather, "to all people on the planet." The urgency of his message at this particular time in the history of the Church and the world cannot be overstated. This is a deeply felt, personal statement that echoes the call of his predecessors, Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI, to all people to be good stewards of God's creation precisely because the world and all that it contains is his gift to us.

Pope Francis writes, not as a scientist or a politician, not for idealists on the left or right of the political spectrum, but rather, as a pastor, the World's Pastor, who seeks to lift up for everyone's careful consideration a compelling moral message imbedded in care for the world around us. "Rather than a problem to be solved," Pope Francis writes, "The world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise (no. 12)."

If you would like tto read the encyclical, please visit
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html