Earth Day: His Holiness Pope Francis Urges Responsibility for Our Common Home

On World Earth Day 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis reminds everyone of our duty to protect the planet and safeguard peace.

By Lisa Zengarini

As the world marked Earth Day on Monday, April 22, His Holiness Pope Francis reiterated his urgent plea for bold action for our common home and for world peace.

The international Day was established in 1970 to raise awareness about the critical environmental challenges facing our planet, and to mobilize efforts to address them.

The observance provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to come together and engage in activities to repair and heal ecosystems, combat climate change, and preserve biodiversity so as to preserve the planet for future generations.

World not doing enough

In a post on his X social media platform (formerly known as Twitter), His Holiness Pope Francis noted that his generation has bequeathed many monetary riches to later generations, but has done little to protect the planet.

He also commented on the link between current environmental problems and the many conflicts raging throughout the world.

"Our generation has bequeathed many riches, but we have failed to protect the planet and we are not safeguarding peace. We are called to become artisans and caretakers of our common home, the Earth which is "falling into ruin." #EarthDay

The Pope's post echoed his words in the 2015 Encyclical Laudato si' on care of our common home and its call for individuals, communities and governments to care for nature.

2024 Earth Day for a plasti-free world

Each year, Earth Day has a specific theme to draw global attention on pressing environmental issues. Under the banner "Planet vs. Plastics," this 54th edition is focused on plastic pollution and on the urgent need to reduce its use and production.

Beyond its environmental implications, the proliferation of plastics poses a significant threat to human health, akin to the challenges posed by climate change.

400 million metric tons of plastic produced annually

Humans produce over 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, which is roughly the weight of all human beings on the planet.

Only 9 per cent  gets recycled, and about 22 per cent  of plastic waste worldwide is either not collected, improperly disposed of, or ends up as litter…

This report was originally published on the website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text and listen to the report.