As the Church began the annual Season of Creation on September 1, Pope Francis is inviting everyone to pray for “an environmentally sustainable lifestyle”, writes GRACE ATTU.

In the Pope’s Video detailing his prayer intention for the month of September, he praised the example of young people who are setting the pace by undertaking projects on issues related to care of the planet.

“It makes me very happy to see that young people have the courage to undertake projects for environmental and social improvement, since the two go together,” he said.

Choosing Change

Pope Francis added that adults can learn much from young people especially in the light of current happenings in the world.

“Let us take advantage of their example and reflect on our lifestyle, especially during these moments of health, social and environmental crisis,” he said.

The Holy Father further challenged all to take the opportunity to reflect on “the way we eat, consume, travel, or the way we use water, energy, plastics, and many other material goods,” especially those which are harmful to the environment.

“Let us choose to change!” the Pope urged. “Let us advance with young people towards lifestyles that are simpler and more respectful of the environment.”

Making Courageous Choices

“Let us pray that we all will make courageous choices, the choices necessary for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, taking inspiration from our young people who are resolutely committed to this,” he said.

The future of the planet that young people will inherit is exactly what hangs in the balance, concluded the Pope.

The Need For Urgent Action

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which prepares the Pope’s Video each month, speaks of “the need for urgent action to combat the social and environmental crisis” as “there are more and more global alerts to try to raise the awareness of humanity that something must change”.

It also made reference to a UN report released in June, which warned that the planet is “rapidly reaching a ‘point of no return’” and facing the triple threats of “biodiversity loss, climate disruption, and escalating pollution”.