Context
Pope Francis published the Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum (On the Climate Crisis) on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi in 2023. It was a passionate plea for urgent action in the lead up to COP28. Previous agreements had not been effectively implemented. Climate change denial was resurgent. However, evidence of an approaching tipping point for the planet was growing.
Major Issues
In Laudate Deum Francis addresses the reality of climate change and its anthropogenic nature. He outlines the need for urgent political, community and personal action. Francis calls for new, more effective forms of multilateral cooperation. He renews his call to the Catholic community for ecological conversion, changed lifestyles, and deeper spiritual engagement.
Methodology
Laudate Deum does not introduce new teaching. As an apostolic exhortation it is primarily concerned with urging action. It provides an update on the situation since the publication of Laudato Si’ drawing strongly on scientific data. It reiterates Laudato Si’s analysis of the technocratic paradigm and stresses the same moral and spiritual call to action.
Contribution to CST
Laudato Deum demonstrates that Laudato Si’ was not an isolated piece of teaching. Integral ecology has become part of the framework of Catholic Social Teaching. It is an ongoing part of the advocacy agenda of the Vatican.