VATICAN CITY — One of the defining moments in Pope Francis’ papacy, highlighting his approach to climate change, was a rain-drenched Mass in Tacloban, Philippines, in 2015. Dressed in a simple plastic yellow poncho, alongside the local faithful, the Pope directly faced the types of extreme weather events scientists attribute to climate change, events that are increasingly impacting vulnerable, low-lying regions.
Francis had journeyed to Tacloban, located on Leyte Island, to provide solace to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever documented. The 2013 typhoon had left a trail of devastation in its wake, resulting in the deaths of more than 7,300 individuals, and displacing approximately 5 million people.
Two years later, as another storm loomed, Francis was forced to abbreviate his visit to the island. Standing in the muddied field of Tacloban’s airport, battling gusts that threatened to upturn altar candlesticks, he addressed the gathering: “So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to tell you.”
On that day, which marked the passing of Francis at 88, he grappled with the overwhelming sorrow of the survivors and the destruction that surrounded him. Nevertheless, this experience was transformative, spurring him to articulate his concerns in the form of his pivotal encyclical, “Praise Be”. This document positioned the stewardship of the planet as a critical moral directive.
Crafted to inspire global discussions at the 2015 Paris climate conference, the encyclical held the profit-focused economies of the global north accountable for environmental devastation, which he described as turning Earth into “a pile of filth.” The Pope emphasized that the poor, Indigenous communities, and island inhabitants, like those in Tacloban, bore the brunt of climate-related hardships such as droughts, severe storms, deforestation, and pollution.
As the first encyclical devoted to ecology, it established the Argentine Jesuit, who had once aspired to be a chemist, as an influential voice in environmental advocacy. The document was later cited by global leaders and scientists, catalyzing a faith-driven effort worldwide to protect the planet.
Austen Ivereigh, a papal biographer, remarked, “He understood from the start that three relationships needed to be restored: our relationship with God, our relationship with the created world, and our relationship with our fellow beings.”
The Pope’s journey towards environmental advocacy wasn’t straightforward. A significant turning point occurred at a 2007 Vatican meeting with bishops from Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida, Brazil, where he became conscientized to ecological issues.
At this assembly, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, then the archbishop of Buenos Aires, opposed calls from Brazilian bishops to prioritize the Amazon’s challenges. He initially found these concerns “excessive,” as expressed in his 2020 book, “Let Us Dream.” However, by the meeting’s conclusion, he was profoundly changed.
The resulting Aparecida document emphasized the environment, condemning multinational companies for exploiting the region’s resources and forewarning about melting glaciers and biodiversity loss. It highlighted environmental degradation as a violation of divine intention and disobedience to the biblical mandate to “cultivate and care” for creation. These themes would later be central to “Praise Be” and the 2019 Amazon Synod. The meeting centered on how the Catholic Church should respond to the Amazon crisis and the plight of its people.
Giuseppe Onofrio of Greenpeace Italy noted, “The Pope emphasized the ethical dimensions of climate justice, pointing out that the poor, who have contributed least to climate change, are often the most affected.”
During his tenure, Francis viewed environmentalism as encompassing numerous issues confronting humanity. He linked these to poverty, social and economic injustices, migration, and the “throwaway culture,” advocating for a comprehensive approach.
On Earth Day, April 22, Francis often delivered emphatic statements on ecological protection. In a 2021 message, he remarked, “We’ve recognized that nature merits safeguarding, especially considering our duty to respect God’s creation.”
Cardinal Michael Czerny, whom Francis trusted with ecological matters, credited the 2007 Brazil meeting with significantly influencing the Pope. Czerny noted, “Understanding the deterioration and suffering from listening to bishops during the meeting profoundly affected him.” His responsibilities merged environmental concerns with the Vatican’s pandemic response, Caritas, migration advocacy, economic concerns, and anti-nuclear initiatives.
This comprehensive agenda aimed to redefine the concept of ecology beyond politicized “green” discourse to a more significant imperative of respecting humanity’s relationship with God and nature. “Everything is connected,” became a hallmark phrase of Francis.
Though not the first pope engaged with ecology, Pope Paul VI initially raised the issue of “ecological catastrophe” in 1970, while St. John Paul II introduced the first thorough ecological statement. Pope Benedict XVI earned the moniker “green pope” for adopting environmentally conscious Vatican practices.
Prior to the Dubai U.N. climate conference, Francis released an update to “Praise Be,” maintaining the original sentiment but conveying greater urgency and assigning blame to major greenhouse gas emitters, notably the United States. He challenged those, even within the Church, who denied human responsibility for climate change.
Papal biographer Ivereigh asserted that Francis “recognized global realities,” emphasizing perspectives from society’s “margins,” which he skillfully brought to the forefront of global consciousness.