Pope: The Earth is 'sick,' in need of prayers and action

September 2, 2024 at 9:15 a.m.
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network illustrates Pope Francis' prayer intention for the month of September 2024: "Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and to the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit." (CNS photo/courtesy Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network)
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network illustrates Pope Francis' prayer intention for the month of September 2024: "Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and to the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit." (CNS photo/courtesy Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network) (Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network)

By CINDY WOODEN
Osv News

VATICAN CITY – The Earth is ailing, and it needs the prayers of Catholics as well as their personal commitment to caring for creation, Pope Francis said.

Click here to see video of Holy Father's message.

"Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit," the Pope said in a video message released Aug. 30 by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.

The network posts a short video of the Pope offering his specific prayer intention each month, and members of the network pray for that intention each day. Pope Francis' intention for September is: "For the cry of the Earth," which coincides with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Sept. 1 and its inauguration of the monthlong "Season of Creation."

"If we took the planet's temperature, it would tell us that the Earth has a fever," the Pope said in the video. "And it is sick, just like anyone who's sick. But are we listening to this pain? Do we hear the pain of the millions of victims of environmental catastrophes?"

The first victims and those who suffer most, he said, are "the poor, those who are forced to leave their homes because of floods, heat waves or drought."

To fight poverty and protect nature at the same time, people must change their personal habits, the Pope said; but because climate change, pollution and the loss of biodiversity are "caused by humans," social, economic and political responses also are necessary.


Related Stories

VATICAN CITY – The Earth is ailing, and it needs the prayers of Catholics as well as their personal commitment to caring for creation, Pope Francis said.

Click here to see video of Holy Father's message.

"Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit," the Pope said in a video message released Aug. 30 by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.

The network posts a short video of the Pope offering his specific prayer intention each month, and members of the network pray for that intention each day. Pope Francis' intention for September is: "For the cry of the Earth," which coincides with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Sept. 1 and its inauguration of the monthlong "Season of Creation."

"If we took the planet's temperature, it would tell us that the Earth has a fever," the Pope said in the video. "And it is sick, just like anyone who's sick. But are we listening to this pain? Do we hear the pain of the millions of victims of environmental catastrophes?"

The first victims and those who suffer most, he said, are "the poor, those who are forced to leave their homes because of floods, heat waves or drought."

To fight poverty and protect nature at the same time, people must change their personal habits, the Pope said; but because climate change, pollution and the loss of biodiversity are "caused by humans," social, economic and political responses also are necessary.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


In Local News as of Oct. 11, 2024
The following parishes, schools and organizations in the Diocese of Trenton have announced these upcoming events:

St. John Vianney girls soccer has returned to power in Shore Conference
With seven starters returning, Holmdel’s St. John Vianney High School girls soccer team has already ...

Evangelize with simplicity, prayer, dialogue, service, Pope tells Jesuits
Evangelization does not have to be complicated or "sophisticated," ...

Statistically speaking: How Pope's choices change College of Cardinals
Popes have made a habit of exceeding the statutory limit ...

Our Catholic witness to a world in need
Speaking to the immense congregation in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the first statewide Mass for Life...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.