Pope Francis: A Voice for Creation, Justice, and Peace
When Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was introduced to the world on March 13, 2013 as Pope Francis, I cried tears of joy. Because while I am not Catholic, I knew what taking the name of St. Francis of Assisi meant. You see, my call to ministry has been about helping people of faith connect their faith to care for God’s good earth, and St. Francis has always been my favorite saint.
When ecoAmerica’s President Bob Perkowitz invited me to come to DC in September 2015 to see Pope Francis and attend a Coming Together in Faith on Climate celebration in honor of the Pope’s visit and the release of his encyclical Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home, I was beyond excited.
First, I gathered and cheered with 65,000 others on the South Lawn of the White House to hear the Pope address the urgency for action on climate change. And then I gathered with ecoAmerica staff in their offices to watch Pope Francis arrive at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle to speak and worship with the U.S. bishops. All our faces were pressed against the office windows as he exited his tiny Fiat, and we shouted together when he turned and waved to us.
On September 25, 2015, Blessed Tomorrow, with partners Convergence, Washington National Cathedral, Auburn Seminary, Faith in Public Life, and Interfaith Power and Light DC, brought together Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other national leaders for an extraordinary event called Coming Together in Faith on Climate (watch the video summary). Together, we amplified Pope Francis’ call for climate action for a more just and sustainable world.
In 2017, I had the incredible opportunity to be with Pope Francis as he presided over the Mass for Pentecost in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. I ended that Italy trip with a St. Francis meditation and education retreat in Assisi where I became even more acquainted with and deeply connected to the saint, and to Pope Francis through him.
All people of faith (Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews) and spiritual people working in the area of climate are mourning our Pope, the Climate Pope, the People’s Pope. Pope Francis spoke on behalf of all creation and the most vulnerable humans who are also impacted first and worst by climate change.
I invite you to join me today in praying for Pope Francis, and then by taking action to care for our common home on his behalf.
Take Action to Care for Our Common Home:
- Watch The Letter
- Become a Blessed Tomorrow Climate Ambassador
- Host a Climate Ambassador Training for your faith community
- Join One Home One Future
About the Author:
Rev. Carol Devine, Executive Director of Blessed Tomorrow
Carol, I resonate with your joy upon learning in 2013 that the new pope was taking the name “Francis.” For Francis of Assisi is my favorite saint (even as I am not a Catholic). As you say, the pope taking that saint’s name portended well. And his humility in shedding the “red slippers,” taking up residence in more humble quarters, a modest “popemobile” and then the strong challenge of Laudato Is.
I might mention that the big crowd to see the Pope in 2015 was the South Lawn of the Capitol. I was in that crowd, able to see the pope, though small as a speck so far away, encourage and inspire us.
Our best appreciation for Pope Francis is to carry on his vision. Thank you, Carol, for your important commitment to this.