Pope who preached for planet: Fare thee well green shepherd

As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, we also celebrate a spiritual leader whose legacy stretched far beyond the boundaries of faith and into the urgent corridors of global climate action. With his landmark encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis did what few religious figures have dared—he made the climate crisis a moral issue rooted in justice, responsibility, and intergenerational equity.

Released in 2015, Laudato Si’ was more than a document—it was a clarion call. It challenged the world, especially political and economic leaders, to hear “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

In one sweeping and deeply spiritual reflection, Pope Francis wove theology, science, and ethics to awaken the conscience of a global community lulled into apathy by consumerism and denial.

What made Laudato Si' revolutionary wasn’t just its content, but its reach. By addressing climate change not as a niche concern but as a central pillar of human dignity and faithfulness, Pope Francis broke through ideological and religious silos.

He inspired Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, and agnostics alike to consider the moral dimension of ecological collapse. His message was simple but profound: caring for the planet is not a political option, but a spiritual imperative.

Under his stewardship, the Vatican emerged as a surprisingly bold player in global climate diplomacy. Pope Francis lent his voice to the momentum that shaped the Paris Agreement, and his influence could be felt in how many world leaders—often not aligned on much—echoed his words about environmental justice.

He did not shy away from criticising unfettered capitalism or exploitative development models that destroy nature and displace communities. He called out the “throwaway culture” and asked us to embrace simpler, more sustainable lives rooted in solidarity.

Beyond words, the Vatican under Pope Francis walked the talk. The Holy See committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and encouraged Catholic institutions worldwide to divest from fossil fuels. Through the Laudato Si' Action Platform, thousands of parishes, schools, hospitals, and dioceses have implemented sustainability programs, especially in the Global South where climate change hits hardest.

Pope Francis’ most enduring contribution was offering hope. In an age of climate doomism, Pope Francis reminded us that faith can be a force for ecological renewal. He urged us to rediscover creation’s wonder and recognise that environmental care is not a burden, but a pathway to joy, community, and redemption.

As we bid farewell to a pope who dared to bring ecology to the altar, his call still rings. Laudato Si', mi' Signore—“Praise be to you, my Lord”. It is both a prayer and a plea to continue his mission of planetary care. The green shepherd may have passed, but his pastoral for the planet lives on.

Let us not betray that legacy.

The writer is a climate action enthusiast and a communications specialist. [email protected]