(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 08.30.2023).- Nine days after announcing to a delegation of lawyers from the European Union that he would be «writing a second part of Laudato Si’ to address current issues,» this Wednesday, August 30th, Pope Francis made the announcement of the publication of what would be his second encyclical:
«The day after tomorrow, on September 1st, we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, inaugurating the ‘Season of Creation’ that will last until October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. On that date, I plan to publish an Exhortation, a second Laudato Si’. Let’s join our Christian brothers and sisters in the commitment to care for creation as a sacred gift from the Creator. We must stand with the victims of environmental and climate injustice, striving to end the senseless war against our Common Home. I urge everyone to work and pray for the flourishing of life once again.»
While making the announcement, the Pope presented this second part of Laudato Si’ as an «exhortation.» If it eventually receives the treatment of an encyclical, it would be Francis’ fourth encyclical after Lumen Fidei (2013), Laudato Si’ (2015), and Fratelli tutti (2020).
