Pope Francis is drawing inspiration from his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, in issuing his encyclical on the environment, "Laudato sii" or "Be Praised." There had been great anticipation about this papal teaching document. Can the Catholic Church say anything new? Why are so many people — of all faiths and no faith — so keen on a Catholic encyclical?
The pope invites all people to consider the example of St. Francis when he offers ancient wisdom as a cure for today's climate crisis. The poor man of Assisi embodied the integration of care for the poor with care for the planet — the thrust of this encyclical.
The charismatic leadership of Pope Francis seems much like that of St. Francis and the effect he had on audiences. The 13th-century saint inspired rich and poor, men and women, faithful and faithless to respond spiritually to the social problems of his age. He preached against greed and inspired many to live in voluntary poverty.