Pontiff makes dramatic video eco-plea

A newly released video of Pope Francis asks us all to unite with him in prayer for creation's sake

The Successor of St. Peter continues to engage the world of social media with the second video developed and shared by Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network's video project at Apostleship of Prayer. Underscored with stunning visuals and a stirring soundtrack, Pope Francis reiterates his prayer intention for February asking men and women everywhere to pray in solidarity and in response to diverse eco-challenges facing humanity.

"The prayer intention for February comes at a crucial time for humanity, addressing an area where we urgently need to make changes," said Rev. Frédéric Fornos, S.J., international director of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.

"The Pope asks us to unite in respect for creation and to act to preserve the natural world for future generations. We need a conversation that brings us together, because we are all affected by environmental challenges, especially the poor and displaced."

Helping develop the February video was the Global Catholic Climate Movement.

Tomás Insua, the global coordinator for the GCCM, said that the Pope's video "is a compelling follow up of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', reinforcing his powerful call to action to care our common home."

Insua said that the video is a timely message, given that governments and society as a whole need to put into practice the recent Paris Climate Agreement by taking bold action to tackle the climate crisis.

As is custom, the Holy Father releases his monthly prayer intentions at the start of each year. These include two each month: a universal prayer and a prayer for evangelization.

The video released today focuses on February's universal prayer intention, "that we may take good care of creation–a gift freely given–cultivating and protecting it for future generations."

The first so-called "Pope Video," released in January and subtitled in ten languages, has already registered more than 5 million online views and a potential daily audience of more than 114 million people. It seeks to raise awareness about the need for interreligious dialogue, another of the grave challenges facing humanity.

The project, conceived and executed by the La Machi, "an agency which provides communication consulting for good causes," invites people and organizations around the world to get involved.

Those who participate in this network are encouraged to become apostles in daily life through a spiritual path called "Way of the Heart," transforming those who take that path in the service of the mission of Jesus Christ.

February's eco-video was possible thanks to the support and collaboration of the following institutions: Global Catholic Climate Movement, Society of Jesus, Indigo Music, Rome Reports, Getty Images Latam, Deloitte Argentina, PwC Argentina, SADAIC, R/GA, Franciscan Action Network. In collaboration with Centro Televisivo Vaticano.

For over a century, the Apostleship of Prayer has been publishing to the world the prayer intentions entrusted to them by popes. Now in this digital age it emphasizes its role through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network as it employs new media technology for communicating the prayer intentions.

Its mission is to unite people in prayer and service in response to the challenges facing humanity which the Holy Father expresses in his monthly intentions. Those who participate in this network are encouraged to become apostles in daily life through a spiritual path called "Way of the Heart," transforming those who take that path in the service of the mission of Jesus Christ.

Founded in 1844 and present in over 100 countries, the Apostleship of Prayer unites more than 35 million people in its network, including its youth branch, the Eucharistic Youth Movement. For more information: http://www.apmej.org.

Founded in January 2015, the Global Catholic Climate Movement (of which I am a founding member) is a coalition of over 280 Catholic organizations working to respond to the moral imperative of the climate change crisis.

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Catholic Ecology posts my regular column in the Rhode Island Catholic, as well as scientific and theological commentary about the latest eco-news, both within and outside of the Catholic Church. What is contained herein is but one person's attempt to teach and defend the Church's teachings - ecological and otherwise. As such, I offer all contents of this blog for approval of the bishops of the Church. It is my hope that nothing herein will lead anyone astray from truth.