Pope Francis: An Environmental Stalwart, Requiescat in Pace

April 25, 2025 — This week, the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, a pontiff whose 12-year papacy left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and global discourse, particularly on environmental issues. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he chose the name Francis in homage to St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, signaling from the outset his commitment to creation care. His death marks the end of a transformative era, one where the Vatican became a moral beacon in the fight against climate change, intertwining environmental stewardship with social justice in ways previously unseen in papal leadership.