Pope Francis on Environment

Protect the Amazon region's cultural and natural vibrancy

Laying out what he calls his four "dreams" for the region, Francis called for "an Amazon region that 'fights for the rights of the poor,' that 'preserves its distinctive cultural riches,' that 'jealously preserves its overwhelming natural beauty' and lastly, that the Christian communities might be 'capable of generous commitment, incarnate in the Amazon region,' " as the official Vatican News reports.

Amazon is not an inexhaustible source of resources

"We know of the suffering caused for some of you by emissions of hydrocarbons, which gravely threaten the lives of your families and contaminate your natural environment," he said.

There are movements, the pope told a stadium with some 4,000 people from the Amazonian region, trying to preserve the forest that also "hoard great expanses of woodland and negotiate with them, leading to situations of oppression for the native peoples." Saving the trees and wildlife, in other words, is not good enough, if the people who live in the region are not equally protected.

Avert serious effects of environmental deterioration

I call for a courageous and responsible effort to redirect our steps and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference, I'm sure. And I have no doubt that the United States, and this Congress, have an important role to play.

Stewards of God's creation give world to future generations

• "God always forgives, we men forgive sometimes, but nature never forgives. If you give her a slap, she will give you one. I believe that we have exploited nature too much."--Press conference, 1/15/15
• "As stewards of God's creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling." --Speech, Manila, Philippines, 1/18/15
• "We received this world as an inheritance from past generations, but also as a loan from future generations, to whom we will have to return it!"--Remarks in Quito, Ecuador, 7/7/15
• "The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish."--Papal encyclical, 5/24/15