I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically… He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.

 – Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 10

Laudato si’ is a recent letter from Pope Francis, which is addressed to “every person living on this planet”.  Written in a conversational tone, it is a fairly short and easy-to-read social encyclical about taking better care of our common home.  Taking inspiration from St Francis of Assisi, it invites us to examine our lives and work with others to care for God’s creation.  Click on the links below to learn more about the encyclical, find related resources and contacts, and discover how you can bring the teaching of Laudato si’ to life.

• Read the full encyclical letter, Laudato si’.  On Care for our Common Home.
• Laudato si’: A “Map” – a useful guide for an initial reading of the encyclical by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
• ‘Protecting the Whole of Creation.  A service that the Bishop of Rome is called to carry out.’  La Civiltà Cattolica 2015 II 537-551 | 3960.  An editorial from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace summarizing  ‘the ecological path which the Popes have indicated’ leading up to the publication of Laudato si’.
• General Ideas for implementing the teaching of Laudato si.’  If you would like to live a life of integrity,  attuned to nature and with compassion for those around us, then the Justice and Peace Office have some general ideas for living the teaching of Laudato Si’.
• Watch a Salt and Light interview with Cardinal Peter Turkson, ‘Connect5: Cardinal Peter Turkson on the pertinence of Laudato Si’’
• Watch a video on the care for God’s creation from U.S.-based Catholic Relief Services, featuring Fr James Martin S.J.
• Learn more about the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
• Read the ‘Laudato si’ issue of  ‘Act Justly‘, the Justice and Peace Office newsletter.
• Learn more about the Laudato si’ Leadership Initiative.
• Further Resources on Laudato si’.