Pope calls for fraternity ‘among ourselves and with creation’

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis on Saturday praised participants in an international conference on protecting biodiversity, saying their commitment “strengthens the urgent and responsible dialogue on the future of the planet.”

The Holy Father said the theme of the conference – “Nature in Mind: A New Culture of Nature for the Protection of Biodiversity” – calls to mind the wonder of St Bonaventure, who “invites us to discover the Transcendent through the beauty of nature.”

God, human beings, and creation

The Pope went on to say that as we can see God in nature, so human beings are able to find fulfilment “by overcoming selfishness and enjoying a shared beauty.”

In our age, he continued, “we do not need titanic heroism, but a meek and patient brotherhood among ourselves and with creation.”

Building a culture of care

This requires us “to identify new pedagogical paradigms” that can lead aimed at creating a dialogue between different kinds of knowledge and at “contributing to building the culture of care.”

Such a culture, the Pope said, is linked to an inclusive education based on “the pillars of integral ecology.”

Pope Francis insisted, “It is necessary to be creatively open to new, more integrated, shared itineraries, directly connected to people and their context,” in order to promote a truly sustainable development.”

A global village of care

Here, too, he repeated, these efforts must be supported by education that emphasizes care for creation:

“We are all called to build the ‘global village of care’, to form a network of human relationships that reject all forms of discrimination, violence, and prevarication,” the Pope said, adding, “In this 'village' of ours, education becomes a bearer of fraternity and a generator of peace between peoples as well as dialogue between religions.”

Pope Francis concluded his remarks by voicing his appreciation for the “daily commitment” of those who are taking part in the conference and encouraging them to continue in that commitment “with courage.”