In his monthly video, Pope Francis has asked Christians to pray during the month of September “that politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans.”
It is a petition closely linked to his encyclical Laudato si'. The Pope's World Prayer Network, in charge of spreading the pope's intention, recalls that each year “13 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year,” causing “the death of 100,000 marine species.”
It also notes one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 is to counter the contamination of the seas and oceans.
Addtionally, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creationis is celebrated every Sept. 1. It was founded by Pope Francis in 2015.
Until October 4, the feast of St. Francis, Christians of all confessions will commemorate together the “Season of Creation,” a period of special prayer for the environment.
