Pope Francis has taken a cue from Orthodox Christians and designated September 1 as a day for Catholics to pray for the care of the environment. The Vatican said Monday that the pope, taking up a suggestion from Orthodox leaders, instituted for Catholics a “world day of prayer for the care of creation” to be marked every September 1, AP reported. Writing to Vatican cardinals about his decision, Pope Francis quoted from his encyclical, published earlier this year, about the need for Christians and all people to protect the environment. The pope denounced exploitation of the poor and waste of the planet’s resources in his encyclical. He is due to address the UN Special Summit on Sustainable Development in September.
