Vatican officials have written to Cardinal Cupich to congratulate him and his “coworkers in ministry” on moving to purchasing energy from 100% renewable sources starting in January. The letter, dated Dec. 23, 2023, reads in part: “With very great joy and gratitude, we receive the good news that the Archdiocese of Chicago is committed to using 100% renewable energy starting in January 2024! This action is an excellent response to Pope Francis’s calls in ‘Laudato Si’’ and ‘Laudate Deum’ for the global community to drastically reduce our carbon emissions. Putting your Catholic faith into practice in this way is a prophetic sign that will no doubt encourage many other dioceses in the United States and beyond to consider similar commitments.” The letter, signed by Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and John Mundell, director of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, also acknowledges the other work the archdiocese and its parishes, schools and other institutions are undertaking to promote care of creation, saying, “The Archdiocese of Chicago is helping the whole Church to face the global climate crisis. “In addition, we gratefully recognize your many courageous and resolute efforts to uplift the dignity of the human person and care for the least and marginalized, including the vulnerable migrants arriving in Chicago. May you continue to couple integral human development with care for our common home, and may God abundantly bless the efforts of everyone in Chicago working hard to bring the Gospel to society!”
Pope calls on world leaders to end divisions to fight climate change The future of humanity depends on what people choose now, Pope Francis said in his message to global leaders at the World Climate Action Summit of the U.N. Climate Change Conference.
Pope Francis sets the table for the upcoming climate summit It’s great news that Pope Francis will show up to address the U.N.’s 28th climate change conference (COP), which begins in Dubai at the end of the month. Over the past decade, no single voice, religious or otherwise, has been more important in addressing the existential issue of our time.
‘People of goodwill’ at Vatican event respond to ‘Laudate Deum’ Atop one of the highest hills in the Vatican Gardens, surrounded by green lawns, rose trellises, butterflies and green parrots, a panel of activists and a Nobel-prize winning physicist gathered to offer their insights on the importance of Pope Francis’ latest document on the climate crisis.