Scottish Catholic Observer

The Pope led prayers during the Liturgy of the Word in St Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday in celebration of the event.

The first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, announced by the Holy Father in August, was celebrated around the world, including in St Andrew’s Cathedral where parishioners joined Archbishop Philip Tartaglia in marking the special day.

The Holy Father was inspired to hold during the introduction of the Laudato Si’ encyclical and in seeing that the Orthodox Church has dedicated September 1 for the last 25 years to care for the environment.

During the Liturgy, Pope Francis prayed that God would ‘enlighten the lords of power and money so they would not fall into indifference, but would love the common good, encourage the weak and care for the world in which we live.’

Capuchin Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the Papal household, proclaimed the homily.

Caring for creation does not mean ‘dominating’ the world we live in, Fr Raniero Cantalamessa said, but caring for it as God the Father cares for His creation.

Pope Francis concluded the Liturgy with a blessing: “May your blessing act in us, O Lord, and transform us with your renewing power, so that we might be wholly disposed to the service of what is good.”

—This story ran in full in the September 4 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.