The words Laudato Si’ mean, “Praised be to you.”

Published in 2015 by Pope Francis I, the encyclical Laudato Si’ is addressed to not only Catholics and people of faith but to “every person living on this planet.”

It is a message from the Pope to the world asking everyone to protect the common home, the earth. It serves as a reminder of how people of faith should not only respect the Earth but also praise and honor God through their engagement with creation.

A central topic addressed in  Laudato Si’ is climate change. The encyclical affirms that climate change is, “one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day”(LS 25). Through the encyclical, Pope Francis also notes the evidence that human activity is the primary cause. The encyclical stresses the urgency of this matter as well as how inadequate remediation tactics have been thus far.

“I support what he’s doing to help the environment,” said senior Emmanuel Roca showing his support for the actions of change the encyclical endeavors to achieve.

The encyclical explains that at the root of the crisis, people must face the tendency to place humanity over and above the rest of creation. In the encyclical, Pope Francis explains that love and care for creation are essential dimensions of faith.

“I like how he critiques consumerism and irresponsible development and calls all people of the world to take ‘swift and unified global action’,” said senior Nicolas Gomez.

Through his use of the phrase, “Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis reinforces the key themes found in the encyclical, emphasizing that love and care for creation are essential dimensions of faith that cannot be overlooked.