The Pope promoted compassion not just for human beings but for all creatures that inhabit the Earth, including pets. He was against capital punishment, which he viewed from a human dignity lens, and, in 2014, he comforted a young boy, who was grieving his pet’s death by suggesting that one day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ.
In his encyclical, Pope Francis underscored reverence and taking care of the Earth, our shared home. He quoted St Francis of Assisi’s famous lines highlighting the need for establishing a loving relationship with nature. ‘Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour; and bears a likeness of you, Most High. Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through whom you give sustenance to your creatures. Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
(Pope Francis, 17.12.1936-21.04.2025)
April 22 is Earth Day.
