Deeming Pollution of Earth Sinful, Pope Proposes Climate Action as Sacred Duty

Humans are turning the planet into a ‘polluted wasteland full of debris, desolation, and filth,’ says Pope Francis

By Nika Knight, staff writer
Common Dreams
September 1, 2016

Pope Francis on Thursday put forth an urgent call for people to actively work to save the environment, proposing that the Catholic Church add such a duty to the list of “seven mercies,” which includes feeding the hungry and visiting the sick, which Catholics are required to perform.