As many of you know of course, today was the day where the world said farewell to Pope Francis, of Rome. Francis, unlike so many before him, took this name upon ascension, in reference to the Patron Saint of Animals, St. Francis of Assisi.
The Hindustan Times explains …
St. Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone around 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, Italy, is a prominent figure among Catholics. He was a renowned Italian mystic and poet who renounced his wealth to embrace radical poverty. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order, ..
“He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace,” the former Catholic Church leader added.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/earthbeat/why-francis-assisi-patron-saint-ecology
While of course, as all men (and women naturally) are, by our very nature, fallible creatures – Pope Francis was not perfect in his pursuit of the high moral example set by the Saint St. Francis in the important – for us, area of ecology and animal welfare – he was nevertheless a man who followed his path with honesty, humility, and great dedication.
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https://www.all-creatures.org/articles/an-tpr-pope-francis-mother-earth.html
Pope Francis and Mother Earth
Earth in Transition
June 2015
The full encyclical is available here. It’s less than 200 short pages, written in a simple, everyday style, and is the work of a thoughtful and caring person.
Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si, is much more than a commentary on climate change; it’s a sweeping indictment of the entire global capitalist system that’s wrecking the planet.
Those who say that the Pope shouldn’t get involved in the issue of what’s happening to Planet Earth and all its inhabitants are either very stupid or very afraid. Or, in the case of the political establishment, both.
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Even PETA sees fit to make a Pope the Person of the Year, 2015 …
https://www.peta.org/blog/pope-francis-is-petas-2015-person-of-the-year/
Why Is Pope Francis PETA’s 2015 Person of the Year?
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.. and another comment again, recently ..
https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/pope-francis/
Pope Francis
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We at WAV would like to join the many around the Globe who today say Farewell to Pope Francis. He was an inspiration, and a steward to God’s Creation.
Rest in Peace, Francesco
World Animals Voice 