Faith and the Environment
Honoring the Green Pope
April 25, 2025
Opinion
As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, it is time to reflect on his profound impact—not just as the head of the Catholic Church, but as one of the most influential voices in the global environmental movement. From the moment he chose the name Francis, a Saint known for his love of animals, nature, and the poor, to placing climate change at the forefront of spiritual discourse through the Laudato Si movement, he urged the Vatican to divest from fossil fuels. For these actions and words, Pope Francis earned the title of the Green Pope.
Pope Francis never claimed to be a scientist—but he listened to scientists. He never claimed to be a politician—but he called politicians to account. He never wavered in his belief that the climate crisis is, at its core, a spiritual crisis born of human greed for unchecked consumption of the Earth’s precious and limited resources.
Now, as we remember this incredible leader, let us also celebrate his enduring legacy— rooted in compassion, action, and the unwavering belief that a better world is not only possible, but required.
An Incredible Moral Voice for the Planet: Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum
When Pope Francis released Laudato Si’ in 2015, he did more than publish a Church document—he reshaped the global conversation on climate change. He reminded us that “everything is interconnected”—that the way we treat the earth is inseparable from the way we treat one another, especially the poor because, “…the rich and the poor have equal dignity.” He urged all people, not just Catholics, to embrace “integral ecology,” the idea that the climate crisis is inextricably linked to social, political, and economic problems and therefore these issues must be solved together.
After eight years of inadequate global government action, and an increasingly warm climate, Pope Francis released Laudate Deum, a follow up to Laudato Si, once again calling out the urgency to “…care for our common home…” and reminding us that “…our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together. Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community.”
He had the Courage to Confront Oil Executives
On June 9, 2018 Pope Francis stood in front of oil executives, energy giants, and politicians and told the truth: with clear, moral clarity Pope Francis told them that rising greenhouse gas emissions were “disturbing” and the ongoing hunt for “…fossil fuel reserves, whereas the Paris Agreement clearly urged keeping most fossil fuels underground…[was]…worrisome.”
For many Christians like myself it was the Pope speaking truth to Earthly power and I know that I for one have never been more proud to call myself a Christian.
Pope Francis understood that energy is essential for modern life to power homes, hospitals and economies. But he also understood, like we do at EARTHDAY.ORG, that this energy does not have to and should not come at the expense of our planet. In his 2018 address to oil executives, he declared that,
“Civilization requires energy, but energy use must not destroy civilization!” He emphasized the need for a transition to renewable energy stating that “We need to talk together—industry, investors, researchers, and consumers—about transition and the search for alternatives”
Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to a sustainable future is something that aligns with EARTHDAY.ORG’s own mission.. His call for a “radical energy transition” underscored the urgency of shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This vision aligns with this year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlighting that while energy is essential, it must be pursued sustainably.
In the face of the powerful and the wealthy, Pope Francis did what too many leaders today are afraid to do. He didn’t mince words or pander. He stood firm; spoke the uncomfortable truth, and defended those most impacted by climate change. This is his legacy. A leader who chose courage over comfort. A shepherd who placed the needs of the poor, the Earth, and future generations above politics, profits, or applause. Pope Francis reminded us that faith is not passive. It is active. It is bold. And it demands that we show up—especially when it’s hard.
He was a Voice for Those Who Have Contributed the Least to the Crisis Yet are Suffering the Most
At the heart of Pope Francis’s environmental leadership was a profound sense of justice and love of neighbor—especially for those who suffer most from ecological degradation. He reminded us that climate change is about people, not just rising seas or degraded habitats.
The World Bank estimates that between 44 million and 216 million people will be internally displaced by climate change by 2050. He referred to climate migration as “ a great emergency” and the result of human selfishness and greed. Just this year he called out the Global North for the great environmental injustice of allowing the Global South to “…bear the weight of the ecological debt of more developed countries.”
In naming climate migration “a great emergency,” Pope Francis made it clear: the climate crisis is a moral crisis. He called the world to account—not just for the damage done to the planet, but for the injustice of letting the most vulnerable bear the heaviest burdens. Pope Francis was a great spiritual leader. He challenged the powerful, comforted the vulnerable, and reminded us that caring for creation is a moral imperative. His teachings in Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum continue to inspire action and reflection. As the world bids farewell to this remarkable leader, let us take up the call to embody his commitment to justice, compassion, and stewardship. This is the legacy he leaves behind, and the work we are called to carry forward.
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