Pope Francis appeals for Laudato si’ Year, releases special prayer

By Devin Watkins

After praying the Regina Coeli on Sunday, Pope Francis recalled the 5th anniversary of his encyclical “Laudato si’: On the Care for our Common Home.”

He said the document sought to “call attention to the cry of the Earth and of the poor.”

The Pope invited everyone to take part in the Laudato si’ Year, which is promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and runs from 24 May 2020 until 24 May 2021.

“I invite all people of goodwill to take part, to care for our common home and our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.”

Special prayer

Pope Francis also announced a special prayer dedicated to the Laudato si’ Year.

He encouraged everyone to pray it.

A Vatican News English-language translation of the prayer is below:

Loving God,
Creator of Heaven, Earth, and all therein contained.
Open our minds and touch our hearts,
so that we can be part of Creation, your gift.

Be present to those in need in these difficult times,
especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
Help us to show creative solidarity
as we confront the consequences of the global pandemic.
Make us courageous in embracing
the changes required to seek the common good.
Now more than ever, may we all feel interconnected and interdependent.

Enable us to succeed in listening and responding
to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.
May their current sufferings become the birth-pangs
of a more fraternal and sustainable world.

We pray through Christ our Lord,
under the loving gaze of Mary Help of Christians,

Amen.