Caring for Creation: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

by Pope Francis, Alicia Von Stamwitz (Editor)

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty… —Pope Francis, “A Prayer for the Earth”

Since his inaugural Mass in March 2013, Pope Francis has frequently reminded a global audience that care for creation is among his highest priorities. As a world leader with a background in science who heads a two thousand-year-old Church, the pope is uniquely qualified to articulate a compelling vision and mission for the future. The writings, homilies, prayers, talks, and even tweets of Pope Francis in this book gather his most important and inspiring words about our shared responsibility to protect, nurture, and care for “our common home.”

The planet is in peril, the pope is telling us, along with the well being of the poor who depend on the earth’s natural resources. He chastises world leaders and challenges ordinary people, reminding us that our foolish actions and careless decisions are placing lives at risk. He decries our current assaults on the natural environment and warns of the consequences of climate change. Still, his message is always ultimately one of hope. In Caring for Creation , Pope Francis’s words reveal that he believes we can move towards a new kind of conversion—a higher level of consciousness, action, and advocacy that will spark “a bold cultural revolution.”

The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via

192 pages, Hardcover

Published August 19, 2016

About the author

Pope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; Spanish: Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a title he held ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European pope since the Syrian Gregory III, who died in 741.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He was accused of handing two priests to the National Reorganization Process during the Dirty War, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina, and the administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him a political rival. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March.

Throughout his public life, Pope Francis had been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He was credited with having a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and Ignatian aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler vestments void of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his piscatory ring, and keeping the same pectoral cross he had as Cardinal. He maintained that the church should be more open and welcoming. He did not support unbridled capitalism, Marxism, or Marxist versions of liberation theology. Francis maintained the traditional views of the church regarding abortion, euthanasia, contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women, and priestly celibacy. He opposed consumerism, irresponsible development, and supported taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato si'. In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4.5 stars. Heartfelt and inspiring passages that link caring for vulnerable human populations with caring for all creatures and the environment. Brilliant.

[gardeningmom7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorites of Pope Francis. “A great challenge: stop ruining the garden which God has entrusted to us…

…God forgives always. We men forgive sometimes. Creation never forgives.”

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Our time cannot ignore the issue of ecology, which is vital to man's survival, nor reduce it to merely a political question: indeed, it has a moral dimension that affects everyone, such that no one can ignore it."

Concern for environmental protection and the current vital ethos of saving our planet is wearying. Politics and greed rule every continent, every country, every political decision made in every system of government, be they democratic or authoritarian, communistic, constitutional monarchies or military dictatorships. It is easy to look the other way; easy to turn our attention to simpler issues. It is easy to give up.

To counteract the feelings of hopelessness for the future, I highly recommend this collection of writings from Pope Francis. These are not specifically Catholic writings. The ideas expressed belong to every Christian, Jewish and Islamic creed. What religion does not care for the earth, and have a sense that humanity is responsible for protecting our earth for today and for future generations?

"Nature . . . is at our disposition and we are called to exercise a responsible stewardship over it. Yet so often we are driven by greed and by the arrogance of dominion, possession, manipulation and exploitation; we do not preserve nature; nor do we respect it or consider it a gracious gift which we must care for a set at the service of our brothers and sisters, including future generations."

An antidote to pessimism, reach for this book when faith, hope and determination are weak. Says Pope Francis, "Keep up your struggle and, please, take great care of Mother Earth."

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished savoring this inspiring and hopeful collection of quotes. It was a borrowed copy and won't be returned until I copy quite a few passages which still throb in my brain. -Or maybe I just need to get my own so I can do some serious underlining.