On the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, 4 October 2023, Pope Francis released an addendum to his 2015 Papal Encyclical Laudato Si’, called ‘Laudate Deum.’ This new Apostolic Exhortation is a message to all people of goodwill on the climate crisis.
What does Laudate Deum mean?
Laudate Deum translates to ‘Praise God.’ In the opening lines of Laudate Deum we are reminded of St Francis of Assisi who praised God for all his creatures. Likewise, Laudato Si’ inspired by the words of St Francis of Assisi and his Canticle of Creatures.
What are the key messages in Laudate Deum?
Laudate Deum is split into six chapters.
1. The global climate crisis. Pope Francis outlines the learnings from the latest IPCC reports.
2. The growing technocratic paradigm. We are reminded of the human causes of climate change and the issues around technology and economics.
3. The weakness of international politics. Pope Francis calls out the current multilateralism paradigm and calls for a politics based on subsidiarity.
4. Climate conferences: progress and failures. Again no punches are pulled and the history of the past Climate COPs is scrutinised for their inadequacy to create real change.
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What to expect from COP28 in Dubai? Pope Francis calls for action to be drastic, intense and a commitment of all (LD 59). Pope Francis wants to see a focus on the necessary transition away from a fossil fuelled world to the widespread use of clean and renewable energies.
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Spiritual motivations. Lastly where we are reminded that as people of faith we can all play our part in caring for our common home.
Why did Pope Francis write a ‘sequel’ to Laudato Si’?
This addendum to Laudato Si’ appears to focus primarily on the climate crisis, and the urgency for action at COP28. Laudate Deum cannot be read without first engaging with Laudato Si’ to understand its position within the greater magisterium and connection to the greater ecological crises. Pope Francis sees this current point in time as so important to the future of humanity that an exhortation is necessary to inspire action.
What are some of the key quotes?
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'I have realised that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.' LD 2
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'Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident.' LD 5
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'It is no longer possible to doubt the human – “anthropic” – origin of climate change'. LD 11
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'To say that there is nothing to hope for would be suicidal, for it would mean exposing all humanity, especially the poorest, to the worst impacts of climate change.' LD 53
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'Yet, the necessary transition towards clean energy sources such as wind and solar energy, and the abandonment of fossil fuels, is not progressing at the necessary speed.' LD 55
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'God has united us to all his creatures. Nonetheless, the technocratic paradigm can isolate us from the world that surrounds us and deceive us by making us forget that the entire world is a ‘contact zone’' LD 66
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'I cannot deny that it is necessary to be honest and recognize that the most effective solutions will not come from the individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions on the national and international level.' LD 69
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'Efforts by households to reduce pollution and waste, and to consume with prudence, are creating a new culture.' LD 71
What is Laudate Deum calling us to do?
For international politicians, the call from Laudate Deum is clear – at COP 28, all efforts must be put towards policy that ceases the extraction of fossil fuels and at the same time facilitates the just transition to an economy based on renewable energies. This endeavour requires courage to break through the economic interests of the fossil fuel extractors.
As individuals, in the lead up to the meeting, we can and should be putting pressure on our politicians to support this direction. We are also reminded that ‘every little bit helps’ LD 70, so that in our own transition to the use of renewable energies and other essential lifestyle changes we are creating a culture of transformation.
Although not mentioned in the Apostolic Exhortation, it is highly recommend that households, schools and parishes engage with the Laudato Si’ action planning process in response to these calls to action. For more information about this process, visit Caritas Catholic Earthcare.