IS FRANCIS A GREEN POPE?

BY WISDOM MDZUNGAIRI
When Jorge Mario Bergoglio won the Catholic papal conclave’s vote for new pope on March 13, he also announced his new name – Francis or Francesco in Latin.
The name is a reference to Saint Francis of Assisi, a venerated Catholic friar who lived in the 13th century. St Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment.

He was known for his dedication to poverty and reform, which may send a signal about this new pope’s concerns. But popes didn’t always pick a papal moniker also known as a regnal name. And today, they rarely get overly creative with the choice. In other words, while many the world over are increasingly in search of unique baby names, I am sure Catholics do not expect to see a Pope Zulu or Pope Musenyamwa anytime soon.

And last Tuesday, Pope Francis I urged leaders in all fields to protect people and the environment, and to shun hatred, envy and pride as he formally began his so-called “ministry” in front of an estimated crowd of over 100 000 on St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Rome. Leaders from around the world, including President Robert Mugabe, attended while millions watched from their countries just six days after his election.

After receiving the symbols of his office, including his papal ring, the pope addressed what he called “all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life” to “not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world” and for ordinary people to become the protectors of humanity.

“It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world . . .It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people. It means more . . . In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it.”

Interesting stuff, isn’t it especially coming from the leader of the 1,2 billion Catholics, whose church has been plugged by scandals?

Will the man live up to the ideals of his 13th-century Italian namesake? I’m not a Catholic, but there is a precedent for papal advocacy against a warming world.
Pope Benedict XVI, his predecessor, made climate change an important part of his tenure. In 2011, he urged international leaders to take a leadership role on limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The late Pope John Paul II also presented a similar message back in 1990 saying “the ecological crisis is a moral issue” especially in the developing world.
Given the large numbers of leaders that rate the pope highly to the extent of falling over each other just to get his attention, one wonders whether they take his messages seriously or to them the pope has become their club member – we –the — leaders and — them – the masses — scenario.

Perhaps Pope Francis should not only continue to voice concern about global warming, but begin working with world leaders to bring about solutions to stabilise the earth’s dangerously precarious climate. Pope Francis hasn’t been in his new position long enough to share his stance — although he is known to oppose same-sex marriage and abortion — but Catholics do know that so far, he has lived a life with a relatively small environmental impact. In Argentina, his native country, he reportedly took the bus every day, lived in an apartment rather than the traditional archbishop’s palace, and cooked his own meals, according to a report on CNN.

Many artistic portrayals of St Francis of Assisi connect him with the environment. It was not surprising then, that the Pope declared him the Patron Saint of the Environment in 1979. Why in the 21st Century, in the midst of global pollution and warming, expanding holes in the ozone layer and massive devastation of our planet’s eco-systems, do we look to a 13th century man to give us guidance and inspiration?

Long before the environment became an issue, St Francis saw human beings abusing nature. There is no doubt that he demonstrated an affinity with nature and with the animal kingdom.

Many of the old medieval legends about St Francis speak of his ability to communicate with nature in an extraordinary way. There is the famous story of how he tamed the man-eating wolf that terrorised the citizens of the small village of Gubbio. We are told he even lifted worms from his path so that they would not be trodden upon. St Francis’ regard was reportedly not just for animals. Toward the end of his life, as he was going blind, doctors had prescribed applying a red-hot poker to his forehead.

As might be expected, people today are deeply concerned about the environmental issues afflicting our planet. In fact, it is by now evident that there is no good future for humanity or for the earth unless we educate everyone towards a style of life that is more responsible to the created world. The ecological crisis reveals the urgent moral need for a new solidarity, especially in relations between the developing nations and those that are highly industrialised.

Politicians or popes are often discussed in terms of legacy. Catholics remember pontiffs who tackle big issues and overcome daunting challenges. Pope Francis I has the chance to be remembered for many things, one of which must be his actions in helping the world establish a long-term strategy that ensures energy security, protects human health and the environment.

millenniumzimbabwe@yahoo.com

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