Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Pope Francis released his encyclical "Laudato Si" on May 24, 2015, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi's song from the 13th century. The song praises God for the creation of natural elements like the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, and earth, emphasizing our interconnectedness.

The encyclical calls for a global shift towards creating a better future for all in our common home. This message continues to inspire discussions and collaborative actions worldwide. One example is the Catholic Climate Covenant (CCC), which collaborates with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to integrate creation care into church practices.

A recent CCC report from its Vulnerable Young People on the Move (VYPM) Synodal listening session project highlighted insights from youth on how climate change affects their lives and how the Church can support them. This project gathered over 50 young migrants and other youths from parishes across the US and Canada.

Participants watched video testimonials from two young adult immigrants—one from Mexico and one from Nigeria—who shared stories about being forced to flee their homes due to climate-driven challenges such as drought and natural disasters. These stories allowed Catholic youth to discuss ways for the Church to address the needs of vulnerable young people on the move.

Climate change was described as an “invisible” destroyer of human dignity, causing family breakdowns, mental health issues, childhood trauma, and other harms. Suggested solutions included raising awareness among pastoral leaders about the connection between climate change and migration; welcoming migrants into parish communities; providing financial aid; offering leadership roles; and fostering a sense of long-term belonging through various activities.

The youth envisioned churches as sanctuaries of support for immigrants across cultures, especially those suffering from climate grief. They agreed on the need for a holistic approach to addressing migration, youth ministry, and climate change from a Catholic perspective.

For more information on these initiatives or to read Pope Francis's encyclical "Laudato Si," visit www.catholicclimatecovenant.org or www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato.html.