Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21st at 88 years old, left a profound mark in the defense of the planet.
In 2015, he published the encyclical Laudato Si, a key document in which the Catholic Church addressed ecological issues and their social impact, promoting a global change of consciousness.
Its release coincided with two international milestones:
- The 2030 Agenda of the United Nations.
- The signing of the Paris Agreement (COP21) on climate change.
The Church, through its global network of entities, sought to contribute to the implementation of these commitments.
The most ecologist pope
Francis assumed the papacy with a vision of justice and equality, extending these values to environmental protection.
Throughout his pontificate, he promoted:
- Acknowledging the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable.
- Defending biodiversity and natural resources.
- Promoting sustainable development in Catholic communities.
His environmental legacy made him the most committed pope to ecology.
10 key quotes from Pope Francis on ecology and the environment
The Supreme Pontiff left powerful messages about the climate crisis. Some of his most emblematic quotes were compiled by Journalists for the Planet (PxP):
- “The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth” – Laudato Si, on global pollution.
- “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her” – Laudato Si, referring to the Earth as a living being affected by extractivism.
- “Young people demand a change. They wonder how someone can build a future without considering the environmental crisis” – Laudato Si, about youth activism.
- “We must hear both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor” – Laudato Si, linking social justice and climate justice.
- “The world we live in is crumbling and may be nearing the breaking point” – Laudate Deum (2023), warning of the climate urgency.
- “If we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us” – Public audience, 2014, highlighting the risk of environmental degradation.
- “When we pollute our seas and devastate our forests, we betray our vocation to care for the planet” – Speech in Manila, 2015.
- “We have no future if we destroy the very environment that sustains us” – On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, 2020.
- “Our common home is being pillaged, laid waste, and harmed with impunity” – Meeting of Popular Movements, Bolivia, 2015.
- “Any harm done to the environment is harm done to humanity” – UN General Assembly, 2015, reinforcing the link between human well-being and the health of the planet.
A legacy that transcends the papacy
The message of Pope Francis remains relevant, inspiring leaders, activists, and citizens to act in defense of the planet.
His vision of integral ecology, in which social and environmental justice are inseparable, resonates as a call to global action to preserve the world.
Cover photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP
