Why Pope Francis cares about the Earth

‘Laudato Sii’, Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment, was inspired by Francis of Assisi’s teaching that care for the planet is inseparable from care for the poor, says Keith Warner

POPE Francis drew inspiration from his namesake, St Francis of Assisi, on Thursday, when he issued Laudato sii (Be Praised), his encyclical on the environment.

There had been great anticipation about this papal teaching document. Could the Catholic Church say anything new? Why were so many people — of all faiths and no faith — so keen on a Catholic encyclical?