THE GREEN VOICE OF THE VATICAN: THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OF FRANCIS - OPINION May 9, 2025
- Ana Cunha-Busch
- May 8
- 2 min read
Updated: May 9
THE GREEN VOICE OF THE VATICAN: THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OF FRANCIS
In times of climate emergency, biodiversity collapse, and growing socio-environmental inequalities, few voices have resonated as strongly and consistently as that of Pope Francis. His spiritual leadership has transcended the boundaries of the Catholic faith, becoming a global ethical beacon in the face of an environmental crisis that threatens the very survival of the planet.
Since the publication of his encyclical Laudato Si' in 2015, Francis has established himself as one of the most important leaders to address the ecological issue profoundly, connecting environmental degradation to social injustice. He reminded us, with simplicity and firmness, that “everything is connected” — a phrase that has become a mantra among environmentalists, scientists, and activists. By speaking of the Earth as “our common home,” the Pope brought scientific discourse closer to the human heart, awakening not only reason but also conscience and compassion.
His stance was not merely rhetorical. In his call for an “ecological conversion,” Francis summoned world leaders, businesses, religious communities, and ordinary citizens to rethink their ways of life and their relationship with nature. By denouncing the “technocratic paradigm” and “unbridled consumerism,” he confronted the systemic roots of environmental destruction, unafraid to criticize the economic and political powers that perpetuate the crisis.
The impact of this went beyond the walls of the Vatican. Laudato Si' influenced political decisions in several countries, inspired movements such as the “Economy of Francis” — aimed at young economists and entrepreneurs — and strengthened the dialogue between science, faith, and civil society. The Pope also played an important role in the negotiations for the Paris Agreements and, more recently, with the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (2023), he reaffirmed the urgency of concrete and ambitious actions to curb global warming.
In the Amazonian context, his voice gained even greater relevance. Francis recognized the strategic importance of the Amazon in global climate regulation, as well as the sacred value of its indigenous cultures. At the Synod for the Amazon (2019), he promoted active listening to indigenous peoples, denouncing the threats of illegal mining, land grabbing, and deforestation. His defense of the forest and its peoples echoed as a prophetic denunciation of the predatory model that still prevails.
And now, as he departs, we deeply miss his calm, firm, and loving voice. Pope Francis left us a legacy of courage, lucidity, and tenderness in the face of the Earth's pain. We are grateful for the extraordinary person he was, for his witness of faith embodied in justice and ecology, and for the hope he sowed among us. May his example continue to flourish in concrete actions, in more conscious choices, and in the construction of a more just and sustainable world for all.
SDG 10, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 15, SDG 16, and SDG 17
Bianca Vieira
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