Remembering Pope Francis and his profound impact on climate action

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAMThe recent passing of Pope Francis has sparked reflection on his remarkable leadership — not only within the Catholic Church, but also across the global climate movement. Known for his humility, compassion, and commitment to justice, Pope Francis consistently used his voice to advocate for the vulnerable, including both people and the planet.Throughout his papacy, he wove environmental concern deeply into the fabric of his mission.

His landmark 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ called for a “cultural revolution,” urging everyone — not just Catholics — to care for “our common home.” But beyond words, his actions and influence helped shift how both global leaders and everyday people approach the climate crisis. Here are three ways Pope Francis helped shape the fight for climate justice.



Elevating climate issues on the global stageWhen Laudato Si’ was released in 2015, it was no accident that it arrived just months before the pivotal U.N. climate summit, COP21, where the Paris Agreement was born.

Pope Francis understood the power of moral leadership in a moment when political momentum was crucial. He called out the “weakness of international politics” and held nations accountable for failing to follow through on their commitments to limit global temperature rise.In his follow-up statement, Laudate Deum, published in 2023 ahead of COP28, he remained candid about the frustrations of slow progress.

Yet his persistent advocacy kept climate justice in the spotlight, reminding world leaders that addressing ecological breakdown is not just a political challenge, but a moral obligation.Championing Indigenous voices and defenders of the earthPope Francis consistently amplified the voices of Indigenous communities — those who often bear the heaviest burdens of environmental destruction. His 2020 exhortation Querida Amazonia (“Beloved Amazonia”) drew directly from conversations with Amazonian peoples, shining a light on their fight to protect sacred lands from extractive industries like oil and mining.

This emphasis on listening to Indigenous wisdom helped shape Catholic social teaching, including in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (“All Brothers and Sisters”). Amid the rising violence faced by environmental defenders — with 196 killed globally in 2023 alone — Pope Francis never wavered in speaking out for their safety and dignity.The tragic murder of Father Marcelo Pérez, an Indigenous priest in Mexico killed in 2023 for defending his community’s land rights, underscored the risks that so many take on in this struggle.

Pope Francis’s consistent support offered these defenders crucial visibility and solidarity from one of the world’s most influential platforms.Inspiring climate activism from the pews to the streetsPerhaps one of Pope Francis’s most enduring legacies is the way he inspired ordinary people to see climate action as a deeply spiritual calling. His message resonated far beyond Vatican walls, influencing faith-based climate activists around the world.

According to a study of more than 300 religious climate activists in the UK, 61 percent cited Pope Francis as a key influence in their decision to engage in climate work. His words also helped fuel the global Laudato Si’ movement, which now connects 900 Catholic organizations and more than 10,000 trained “animators” — local leaders working for environmental justice in their communities.By grounding climate advocacy in moral and spiritual principles, Pope Francis reframed ecological care not as an optional cause, but as a shared responsibility.

A lasting call to actionAs the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, his message continues to echo: that true climate leadership requires courage, compassion, and care for the most vulnerable. While the future of Church leadership remains uncertain, the foundation he laid offers a clear path forward — one where moral clarity meets bold action, from the grassroots to global summits.The post Remembering Pope Francis and his profound impact on climate action first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

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