The pope has published this special message for the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.” In his message, he emphasizes that a lifestyle based on consumption pushes the planet beyond its limits.
That's why he asks to take advantage of the temporary shutdown caused by the pandemic to put an “end to our superfluous and destructive goals and activities.” He proposes examining harmful habits in the use of energy, transportation, consumption and food.
In his message, Pope Francis restates one of the ideas from his prayer intention for September: that multinationals are doing “abroad what they would never be allowed to do in their own countries.”
POPE FRANCIS
“We are squeezing out the planet's goods. Squeezing them out, as if the earth were an orange. Countries and businesses from the global north have enriched themselves by exploiting the natural resources of the south, creating an 'ecological debt.’ Who is going to pay this debt?”
This message also marks the beginning of the “Season of Creation,” which each year lasts from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4.
During these weeks, Christians of all denominations pray and launch joint initiatives for the care of nature.
