Pope Francis and the Environment

In his encyclical “On Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis asks us to change our hearts concerning environmental stewardship. We must stop ignoring our own contributions to environmental degradation, particularly through our high-consumption, high-carbon lifestyles. Pulling key quotations from the encyclical, author Michael Wright shares the heart of Pope Francis’ message to us. He writes, “Pope Francis’ teachings are both timely and radical. His new encyclical is a gift of grace to all humanity at a turning point in the history of our planet. Will we heed God’s call—as presented by our leader in faith—to turn from selfish ways that negatively affect life on earth and separate us from God in heaven?”