Laudate Deum: Pope Francis renews call for action on climate change
Pope Francis published a new apostolic exhortation, titled Laudate Deum (“Praise God”) on October 4, 2023. Introducing it as a continuation of Laudato Si', he reflects that the concerns he shared in that encyclical eight years ago continue to grow and that our responses to the growing climate crisis have not been adequate.
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, summarizes the six chapters of the exhortation:
In the first, "The Global Climate Crisis," Pope Francis warns that climate change is undeniable, and its effects are becoming increasingly evident "despite some attempts to minimize or ridicule them" (LD 6). He further regrets that the main cause of this problem is human activity and adds that, while we cannot correct such damage, we can still take steps to prevent even more serious damage in the future.
In the second Chapter, the Holy Father addresses the "technocratic paradigm" and stresses that nature is not a resource to be exploited without end and urges us to recognize that unbridled ambition is not ethically sustainable (LD 28).
In the third Chapter, Francis refers to "the weakness of international politics" and stresses the urgent need for global cooperation through new multilateral agreements between States because current and past approaches are insufficient (LD 43).
In the fourth Chapter, the Pope reflects on "climate conferences: progress and failures" and encourages to overcome the selfish positions of countries for the benefit of the global common good (LD 44, 52) and in the fifth Chapter to reflect on "what is expected from COP28 in Dubai?" if we do not want to doom humanity.
In the last chapter, "Spiritual Motivations," the Holy Father calls upon people of all religious confessions to respond. He also reminds Catholics that in the light of faith there is a responsibility to care for God's creation and that this implies respect for the laws of nature and recognition of the beauty and richness of God's creation.
Finally, Pope Francis invites us to walk in communion, together, synodically, and to commit ourselves to "reconciliation with the world that shelters us" (LD 69).
Laudate Deum is an appeal to all, outlining the real and urgent need for humans to address climate change on an individual, local, national, and international scale. It is a reminder that climate change is a moral issue, and that we have a responsibility to care for God's creation and to protect the poor and vulnerable. It is also a message of hope, reminding us that we can overcome this challenge if we work together.
“I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to help make it more beautiful, because that commitment has to do with our personal dignity and highest values. At the same time, I cannot deny that it is necessary to be honest and recognize that the most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions on the national and international level.
Nonetheless, every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people. Yet what is important is something less quantitative: the need to realize that there are no lasting changes without cultural changes, without a maturing of lifestyles and convictions within societies, and there are no cultural changes without personal changes.” (LD 69, 70)
Additional news articles:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/world/europe/pope-francis-letter-climate-change.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/04/pope-francis-environment-climate/