Church Documents: Laudato Si On Care for Our Common Home

Pope Francis' landmark document on human ecology, On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si'), is the first encyclical completely devoted to the topic. It is addressed to "every living person on this planet" and aims to spark a "dialogue with all people about our common home." It challenges each one of us to ask ourselves, our corporations, and our governments: "How can anyone claim they are building a better future without thinking of the environment?" Within this framework, Pope Francis powerfully draws our attention also to the poor, who share an intimate relationship with the fragility of the earth.

Aligned and united with the concerns of scientists, philosophers, theologians, and civic groups, Pope Francis calls each of us "to become painfully aware" so that we can "dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering"; thus we will responsibly "discover what each of us can do about it."

On Care for Our Common Home contextualizes the topic by first reviewing the present ecological crisis which is "unprecedented in the history of humanity." The Holy Father then sketches out both ethical and spiritual principles from our Judaeo-Christian roots that come to bear on the conversation about human ecology. He stresses the need for a sound moral foundation and emphasizes that "human life is itself a gift which must be defended from various forms of debasement." Of special note is the section on the deep causes that have brought about the present situation. Proposals for dialogue and action in the encyclical are broad, but are meant to affect international policy as well as individual lives. Lastly, helpful guidelines for human development are laid out based on the Christian wisdom tradition.

A must-read for everyone, On Care for Our Common Home is an invitation to look at all of creation with our eyes wide open, since the distressed state of "our Sister, Mother Earth" requires "a new and universal solidarity" in which all of us "work together in building our common home."

Features & Benefits: 

Landmark document on ecology 

Invitation to dialogue addressed to everyone 

Helpful overview of present ecological situation 

Offers Pope Francis' assessment of root causes of environmental problems 

Broad proposals offered to inform international policy 

Appeals for a new solidarity for all people to work together

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About the Author:

Pope Francis was elected in March 2013 as the 266th Bishop of Rome. Formerly Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, he is the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope. Prior to the publication of On Care for Our Common Home, he released two other documents: Joy of the Gospel and The Light of Faith. Recent compilations of his words include Give Us This Day Our Daily Love, Inspiration from Pope Francis, and The Rosary with Pope Francis.

Product Details:

Binding: Paperback 
Trim size: 5 x 7 1/4 inches
Pages: 176

Keywords: ecology - Francisco - Laudato Si - Laudato Si