photo by Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
In a wide-ranging and inspirational message to global movements, Pope Francis called on extractive industries to end their destruction of our common home and people.
“In the name of God, I ask the great extractive industries – mining, oil, forestry, real estate, agribusiness – to stop destroying forests, wetlands and mountains, to stop polluting rivers and seas, to stop poisoning food and people,” he said.
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His Holiness also called on all of us to keep dreaming together, and to ignore those who say change will never happen.
“Let us dream together, because it was precisely the dreams of freedom and equality, of justice and dignity, the dreams of fraternity, that improved the world. And I am convinced when we look through these dreams we will find God’s own dream for all of us, who are His own sons and daughters,” Pope Francis said.
His Holiness shared the powerful message on Saturday for the fourth world meeting of popular movements.
Movements across the world, including Laudato Si’ Movement, have been raising awareness ahead of the United Nations 26th Climate Change Conference, which starts on 31 October in Glasgow.
The Vatican is sending a delegation led by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Support Pope Francis and the Vatican: Sign the Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition.
“Know that you are called to participate in great processes of change, as I said to you in Bolivia: ‘the future of humanity is in great measure in your own hands, through your ability to organize and carry out creative alternatives.’ In your hands,” Pope Francis said.
“Like the Good Samaritan, to tend attentively to all those who are stricken along the way, and at the same time, to ensure that many more join in: the poor and the oppressed of the Earth deserve it, and our common home demands it of us.”
The large mining, oil, forestry, real estate, agribusiness companies to stop destroying nature, to stop polluting, to stop intoxicating people and food.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) October 16, 2021
Pope Francis frequently recalled the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching, including solidarity and the preferential option for the poor. His entire message can be read here.
“Let us ask God to pour out His blessings on our dreams. Let us not lose our hope. Let us remember the promise that Jesus made to His disciples: ‘I will be with you always,’ and remembering it, at this moment of my life, I want to tell you that I will also be with you. The important thing is to realize that He is with you.”
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