Pope Urges Revolution To Save Earth, Fix 'Perverse' Economy
VATICAN CITY (WJZ) -- Climate change controversy. Pope Francis unveils his highly anticipated plan to battle it.
Amy Yensi has local reaction to what the pope is saying.
There are 1 billion Catholics across the globe. The pope is their leader. That's why what he's saying is getting so much attention and criticism.
Melting glaciers, wild weather and more droughts--scientists point to them as proof of global warming. Now Pope Francis is sharing his stance.
In a 200-page encyclical--a document that blends scripture with science--the pope blames climate change on an economic system which favors the rich and exploits the poor.
He tweeted a highlight, saying:
The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 18, 2015
Roman Catholic leaders and scientists who were among the first to see the papal letter applaud it.
Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori says scripture supports the pope's position.
"Yes, he told us to fill the Earth and subdue it. But not to abuse it," the archbishop said.
The letter calls on the entire world to cut greenhouse gases and live simpler lives--something climate skeptics in the U.S. disagree with.
Catholics in our area are split.
"There are a lot more things in the world that I would rather have him speak out about," one man said.
"He's a fantastic pope and he's taking care of real things that make impact to people," said another.
Archbishop Lori says priests across Baltimore will be briefed on the encyclical to ensure the church community understands its teachings.
"In a way, that reflects the substance of the encyclical rather than the hype," he said.
But with the pontiff calling on a bold cultural and ecological revolution, the hype will be hard to ignore.
The document was supposed to be released at the end of the month, but it was leaked ahead of time.
The report is published in five languages. It comes six months ahead of a key climate change meeting in Paris.
