A few weeks after the death of Pope Francis, RiEnergia wanted to remember his action for the environment that, among other things, inspired environmental movements such as the Laudato Sì Movement. With the executive director of this movement, Lorna Gold, we discussed the revolutionary action of Pope Francis on the environment and care of creation, the future of the Catholic Church's commitment on these issues and the initiatives promoted by the Movement.
Pope Francis's Laudato Sì, significantly broadened the church's understanding of its duty to care for creation, emphasizing an "integral ecology" that connects environmental concerns with social justice, human dignity, and culture. What was the revolution of Pope Francis? Why your action is different from other Popes?
I think that Pope Francis made a significant impact by prioritising care for creation and ensuring that it was regarded as an integral part of the Christian vocation. Pope Francis followed in the footsteps of other Popes in this regard. Both St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI wrote about ecology and stewardship - so in terms of doctrine it was not a new topic. However, Pope Francis did a number of things differently. First, he put this very high on the agenda. In choosing the name Francis of Assisi he signalled that the issues of peace, care for the poor and care for creation were at the centre of his message. He never wavered from this throughout his papacy. In publishing Laudato Sì in 2015, just two years into his papacy, he focused attention on the climate and biodiversity crisis at a critical moment. It was timed to have a political impact - and succeeded in doing so far beyond the Catholic, Christian or even faith world. On this passing, political figures and media commented that Laudato Sì and the Pope's engagement in 2015 was critical to the signing of the Paris climate Agreement.
The second thing Pope Francis did which set him apart as a 'revolutionary' was the way he lived his commitment through his personal gestures and the symbolism. He illustrated in small gestures - what he calls 'noble actions' in Laudato Sì - what it means to live out care for the earth and the poor. Whether it was his choice of modest transport, his decision to forego most of the papal luxuries, his countless meetings with those living in poverty and destitution, or his meetings with frontline defenders - he lived out his message. In an era where words are cheap, this example of simple living and coherence, was truly revolutionary.
Pope Francis legacy extends beyond the church, inspiring global movements for climate action and environmental protection. Laudato Sì movement is an example. What is this movement, its mission, its concrete initiatives?
Yes, Pope Francis had a major impact on the whole environmental movement - as many commentators have commented on since his passing. He had a particular impact on the whole area of faith-based environmental action, giving an extra impetus to faithful in different religions to live out the values of care for the earth found within all sacred texts. In the past years initiatives like UNEP's 'Faiths for Earth' programme have grown exponentially thanks, at least in part, to Pope Francis leadership. In the Muslim world Laudato Sì inspired scholars to issue a Muslim 'version' of Laudato Sì called 'Al Mizan', the balance, which in many ways mirrors the teachings of Laudato Sì for the Muslim world.
Within the Catholic world, Pope Francis inspired the Laudato Sì Movement, which is now a global grassroots movement encompassing over 900 affiliate organisations (some of which are very significant in their own right, such as Caritas Internationalis, the Jesuits and the Focolare Movement), 80 chapters across the world, and over 20,000 trained community leaders. We have instituted an online Laudato Sì Animators training programme which is free to everyone in six languages. This course is hugely popular and regularly draws 5000 or more people who wish to become leaders in faith-based environmental action. In partnership with the Vatican, we have helped to bring about a global sustainability programme called the Laudato Sì Action Platform - which individuals and institutions can sign up to develop action plans for their own communities. It is an amazing tool to mobilise the whole Catholic Church to become fully sustainable. Other initiatives include the annual celebration of the Season of Creation, which runs in September with our brothers and sisters in all Christian churches. We also have helped to bring about major campaigns such as Church support for a new treaty on fossil fuel non-proliferation.
What do you think happen after the death of Pope Francis? What will be the catholic Church approach to environmental, ecology and climate change?
This year we celebrate 10 years of Laudato Sì. The anniversary is on May 24th. As we look to the future now, we can see that the last decade has been about laying solid foundations. Pope Francis has really given us, the laity, the key tools we need to ensure this work on ecology moves forward. This work is now firmly part of Catholic Social Teaching - church doctrine. It is not a side issue. Through the ground work with the faithful, the Laudato Sì Movement now has institutional relationships across the whole world and engagement from the hierarchy right across all five continents. The next Pope will play a key role in ensuring that this work - which is driven largely from the grassroots, as well as at Vatican level - gets the ongoing leadership it needs to thrive and continue to make a major impact on caring for our earth.
The last one question, what are the approach of the others religions about the environmental concerns?
As mentioned, all faiths have care for the earth in their sacred texts and in their policies. The film we produced, The Letter - a Message for our Earth - highlights the broad work in this aread and how important it is to work in a multi-faith way on care for the earth. Afterall, God gave us one earth to share, not separate planets for Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims etc. In many ways we Catholics have been late to the party! It was there, but not in a very prominent way. A theologian friend of mine said once that Pope Francis in Laudato Sì brought the Catholic world from kindergarden to PhD level in one swoop. I think now we are fully caught up and ready to lead, in a spirit of collaboration with all our brothers and sisters in different faiths.
