VATICAN CITY – For the first time, Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I are launching an appeal in a joint message, on the occasion of the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, celebrated on 1 Sept 2017.
On August 30, toward the conclusion of his General Audience in St Peter’s Square, the Pope himself announced this initiative.
Francis explained, “we invite everyone to adopt a respectful and responsible attitude toward Creation.”
“We also appeal,” he added, “to those who have influential roles, to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor who suffer most from ecological imbalances.”
In 2015, Pope Francis instituted this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, joining the Orthodox who have celebrated it on the date of September 1, for years. – zenit.org
