Climate Brief:Pope Francis had most progressive stance on climate than any other pontiff in history

FILE - Pope Francis puts on an indigenous headdress during a meeting with Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit, at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church in Maskwacis, near Edmonton, Canada, Monday, July 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) Uploaded by: Kaili Joy Gray DK images library

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Why Pope Francis had the most progressive stance on climate change than any other pontiff in history

He declared the issue was "intimately related to the dignity of human life."

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Pope Francis's environmental message, most notably articulated in his encyclical Laudato Si', emphasizes the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis and environmental degradation. He calls for a shift in mindset, urging individuals and societies t​​​​​o

Pope Francis

recognize the interconnectedness of human, social, and environmental well-being.

Key aspects of Pope Francis's environmental message:

• Integral Ecology:

  Pope Francis advocates for an integrated approach, recognizing that the environmental crisis is intertwined with social, economic, and political issues. He argues that addressing climate change requires addressing the root causes of inequality and injustice. 
• Stewardship:

  The Pope emphasizes that humanity is not the ultimate owner of nature, but rather its caretaker, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and protecting it. He encourages a move away from viewing nature as an object to be exploited and towards a relationship of care and respect. 
• Ecological Conversion:

  Pope Francis calls for a fundamental shift in values and lifestyles, moving away from consumerism and prioritizing sustainable development. This includes changing our ways of consuming, producing, and governing, as well as fostering a sense of ecological and spiritual renewal. 
• Urgency and Moral Imperative:

  The Pope emphasizes the urgency of the situation, warning that the consequences of inaction are severe and that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor must be heard. He sees the environmental crisis as a moral issue, highlighting the importance of justice, solidarity, and social responsibility. 
• Global Cooperation:

  Pope Francis calls for international cooperation and strong political will to address climate change, urging governments and corporations to take decisive action. He emphasizes the importance of solidarity among nations, especially in assisting vulnerable countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change. 
• Spiritual Dimensions:

  The Pope connects the environmental crisis with our spiritual relationship with God and nature. He suggests that a deeper appreciation for the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world can inspire greater care and reverence. 
• Rejection of the Technocratic Paradigm:

  The Pope criticizes the tendency to view the world as a machine to be controlled and exploited, arguing that this way of thinking leads to environmental degradation and social injustice. He calls for a more holistic and ethical approach to technology and development. 

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  Pope Francis with President Obama 

  Laudato si

  The Pope criticizes consumerism and irresponsible economic development, laments environmental degradation and global warming

From Denise Oliver Velez:

According to PEW there are about 3 million Black Catholics in the U.S. While granted, the majority of Black folks who are people of faith belong to a cross section of Christian Protestant and Black Evangelical denominations, all of them have a belief in God or some Higher Power.

The Importance of Christianity to Black Americans

Religion plays an important role in the lives of Black Americans. According to PRRI data from 2022, more than seven in ten Black Americans (71%) are Christian, a slight decrease from 79% in 2013. About one in five are religiously unaffiliated (22%), up from 16% in 2013, and the remaining 7% affiliate with non-Christian religions. Black Americans are notably more likely than Americans in general to say that religion is the most important thing in their lives (28% vs. 15%), and this percentage is notably higher among Black Christians (36%).

Among Black Christians, 41% identify as evangelical or born-again and 59% do not. Black evangelicals (46%) are more than twice as likely as nonevangelicals (21%) to say that religion is the most important thing in their life.

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