Pope Francis announced that on 4 October 2023, he will publish a new Apostolic Exhortation, the second part of the Encyclical Laudato Si’ dedicated to the protection of our Common Home.
The Holy Father has chosen this date because it coincides with the conclusion of the so-called “Time of Creation”, which is celebrated from September 1 to October 4, 2023, the day on which Saint Francis of Assisi is commemorated.
During his greeting to the Italian-speaking faithful who were listening to him from the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican, the Pontiff recalled that on 1 September “the World Day of Prayer for the care of Creation will be celebrated, inaugurating the ‘Time of Creation’. Creation’ that will last until 4th October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.”
“On that date,” he continued, “I plan to publish an Exhortation, a second Laudato Si’. Let us join our Christian brothers and sisters in the commitment to care for creation as a sacred gift from the Creator.
He also urged us to “stand alongside the victims of environmental and climate injustice, striving to put an end to the senseless war against our Common Home,” a “world war” that the Pope described as “horrible.” “I urge everyone to work and pray so that life abounds again,” he asked.
It is worth remembering that on August 26, during an audience with a delegation of lawyers from the member countries of the Council of Europe, Pope Francis announced that he is working on the second part of this Encyclical.
The Holy Father published the Encyclical Laudato Si’ on May 24, 2015, and its title is taken from the Canticle of the Creatures of Saint Francis of Assisi.
As the Pontiff himself explained, it is a “social” encyclical and an invitation “to stop and think about the challenges of the environment.”
In it, the Pope calls for the care of creation as a necessity for the integral care of the person, and remembers that “the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the weakest in a special way.”
In the Encyclical the Pontiff reflects on the relationship of the human being with the environment and with himself. In that sense, he pointed out that human ecology implies “the necessary relationship of the life of human beings with the moral law written in their own nature, necessary to create a more dignified environment.”
As reported by the Holy See on 30 August, in his message for the Feast of Creation, Pope Francis affirmed that “in this Season of Creation, as followers of Christ in our common synodal journey, let us live, work and pray so that our common home is full of life again. May the Holy Spirit continue to flutter over the waters and guide us to the ‘renewal of the surface of the earth.'”
In addition, he highlighted the “rhythm of the heart of the created and the heart of God”, which “are not in harmony, do not beat together in justice and peace.”
Throughout the “Season of Creation,” global and regional events will span diverse themes, including prayer services and an ecumenical prayer vigil in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square hosted by Taizé on 30 September.
In addition, the approval and promotion of the “Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels Treaty (TNPCF)” will be carried out to mitigate the climate change crisis by the Church in Latin America, Oceania, and Africa, as well as clean-ups of natural areas and seminars.
In particular, the Laudato Si’ Movement extends a special invitation to join the campaign to pray and act for climate justice ahead of COP 28. The campaign includes prayers for political leaders with responsibilities at the next COP and for all those responsible for making immediate decisions to confront the climate crisis.
As detailed by the Holy See Press Office, the “Season of Creation” also offers the opportunity to renew our relationship with the Creator and with all creation through community celebration, conversion, and personal commitment. During this time, the Catholic Church joins the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.