As September winds to a close, so, too, does the Season of Creation, a time set aside by Pope Francis “to renew our relationship with our Creator.” 

Pope Francis announced the Season of Creation, which ends Oct. 4, saying, “May this year's theme, ‘Listen to the voice of creation,’ foster a concrete commitment in each person to take care of our common home,” he tweeted. 

Caring for God’s creation is a prevalent theme in Catholic theology. Many bishops and Catholic groups have commended the pope for his message.

Pope Francis made the season official in 2015, according to the Season of Creation website. 

"Statements from religious leaders around the world have also encouraged the faithful to take time to care for creation during the month-long celebration," the website states. The celebration ends on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi because he dedicated his life to caring for God’s creatures and creation. 

Caring for God's Creation is one of the seven themes of Catholic social teaching, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Catholic Church calls all of the faithful to be stewards of the earth. The USCCB acknowledges that environmental challenges include moral and ethical dimensions. 

Discussions of God's creation and humanity's role in caring for the Earth are present throughout the Bible, the USCCB says. In Genesis, God creates the Earth and instructs humans to care for it. Leviticus notes that the planet should not be abused. The books of Daniel, Matthew and Romans also discuss the relationship between God and His creation. 

In Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si, published in 2015, the pope described the destruction of the Earth and reminded the faithful of their duty to protect it, according to the Vatican. 

"The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change,” Pope Francis wrote. “The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home."