Pope Francis was warmly greeted by participants from an international conference celebrating the third anniversary of his Laudato si’ encyclical.
Nearly 300 experts from around the world have come to the Vatican to discuss the latest developments in climate change and formulate urgent response. In his address, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude for their active fight against the “culture of indifference.”
POPE FRANCIS
“I thank all of you for coming together to ‘hear with your hearts’ the increasingly desperate cries of the earth and its poor, who look for our help and concern.”
The pope reiterated numerous ideas from his encyclical and once again called for immediate, concrete action, keeping future generations in mind.
POPE FRANCIS
“There is a real danger that we will leave future generations only rubble, deserts and refuse. So I express my hope that concern for the state of our common home will translate into systematic and concerted efforts aimed at an integral ecology. For ‘the effects of the present imbalance can only be reduced by our decisive action, here and now.’”
Finally, Pope Francis expressed his hope that this action would be demonstrated at upcoming global climate change summits in September and December 2018.