Pope Francis, from his premier appearance on the Vatican balcony, has shown his ability to touch hearts, turn heads and get folks talking. This relatively new religious leader has caught the world’s attention.
Thomas Reese, in an article published in the National Catholic Reporter, explains the hype surrounding the much anticipated arrival and publicized release of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, within both religious circles and throughout the worldwide secular media. Reese contends that Laudato Si’ was on the right topic, at the right time, by the right person.
Global citizens have taken note and notice. As a religious leader, Pope Francis desires that his second encyclical, Laudato Si’, On Care for our Common Home will spark reflection, create dialogue, transform consciousness, change attitudes and alter behavior patterns. The text of the encyclical is available at https://laudatosi.com . It is both relevant and readable. Reese adds, “The reader is drawn to the journalistic rather than academic writing style of Pope Francis.”
One might suspect that Francis shrewdly instituted the new day of prayer and celebration for the Church on September 1st, entitled the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” to highlight annually his message and our role as stewards of our common home.
Nancy Wales CSJ