The personal reflections of Pope Francis in “Laudato Si’” serve as a contemplatio, an “awe-filled contemplation of creation” (No. 125). This contemplation opens up in us a growing desire to savor the mystical presence of God. God’s love is experienced as a suffusi

When I was about 8 years old, I bought a copy of a slim book called 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. I ploughed through its pages and then immediately set out to enact its suggestions, like making birdhouses from milk jugs, trying to convince my parents to put a brick in the toilet ta

A roundup of expert analysis

When Pope Francis was elected, he made clear that the name contained a full agenda for his pontificate inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi: the poor, the environment and peace. At the top of the list came the poor.As he recounted his choice of the name, the new pope explained that Brazilian Cardinal

This text is a useful guide for an initial reading of the Encyclical. It will help you to grasp the overall development and identify the basic themes. The first two pages are an overview of Laudato si’ (literally “Be praised” or better, “Praise be to you”). Then for eac

Pope Francis’ revolutionary new encyclical calls for a “broad cultural revolution” to confront the environmental crisis. “Laudato Si” is also quite lengthy.