Pope Leo’s Legacy: Climate Action and Colonialism in Focus

Speedy Summary:

• In 2018,Pope Francis publicly denounced threats to Indigenous Amazonian peoples and the destructive practices of gold mining and consumerism during a speech in Peru.
• Throughout his papacy, Francis advocated for climate justice and Indigenous rights, acknowledging the Catholic Church’s ancient role in colonization. His initiatives included the landmark encyclical Laudato si’ (2015), which linked environmental degradation to social injustice.
• Under his leadership, Indigenous languages were integrated into catholic mass ceremonies, he apologized for past abuses like canada’s residential schools, and rejected the Doctrine of discovery used by colonizers to seize land illegally.
• Despite progressive actions, Francis faced limits: resistance from conservative Catholics hindered broader institutional reforms on climate action within dioceses or inclusivity in church leadership roles.
• Following Francis’ death, Pope Leo XIV has been elected as his successor. A Peruvian-American with extensive missionary work experience in Latin America, Leo XIV is viewed as likely continuing Francis’ mission on climate awareness but has sparse prior engagement with these issues.

!Pope Francis delivers a speech during a meeting with representatives of indigenous communities
Caption: Pope Francis delivers a speech during a meeting with representatives of indigenous communities of the Amazon basin from Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.

!Members gather at assembly before arrival of Pope
Caption: Members of indigenous communities from Peru gather at an assembly before the arrival of Pope Francis.

!Portrait chair featuring tribute to visit by late pontiff
Caption: Elder Fernie Marty stands beside chair where Pope sat during 2022 acknowledgment event apologizing historically wrong Stance advocacy actions included revoking discovery.

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