Online: Pope calls for action on poverty, 'true conversion' on climate change

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV continues to weigh in and take action on a variety of religious and social issues. On Saturday, Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Leo signed his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te, or “I Have Loved You,” on the subject of poverty. Earlier this week, he spoke out on deciding which to serve, God or money. And on Oct. 1, Leo criticized those who argue that global warming is a hoax and called Catholics and all who care for the planet to take action against climate change. 

The actual text of Dilexi Te will be released on Thursday, Oct. 9, to mark two jubilee years, one dedicated to migrants and the other to missions.

 Catholic News Service covered the signing.

“During this year, we must choose whom to serve, justice or injustice,” Leo said at the signing. “To hope is to choose, because those who do not choose are driven to despair . . . .The world changes if we change.” 

National Catholic Reporter covered the environmental conference, “Raising Hope for Climate Justice,” which focused on Laudato Si’'. In an address to the diverse audience, Leo called for “true ecological conversion.”

“The challenges identified in Laudato Si' are in fact even more relevant today than they were 10 years ago," Leo said.  "These challenges are of a social and political nature, but first and foremost of a spiritual nature: they call for conversion."

He urged believers to “put pressure on governments to develop and implement more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls.”

Several speakers spoke at the conference, including Katharine Kayhoe, Bill McKibben and Arnold Schwarzenegger. All three have emerged as authorities on the subject of climate change.

When it comes to climate change, “There is no room for indifference or resignation,” Leo concluded.