The second of two books of prayers based on Pope Francis’ writings on care for the earth and its people has been published this week by the Sandhurst Office of Mission and Pastoral Life. The prayers are drawn from Pope Francis’ words of challenge and hope.

Book 2 of “Praying With Pope Francis for Our Common Home” draws from paragraphs of Pope Francis’ 2023 Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum (“Praise God”). Book 1 was similarly based directly on paragraphs of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’ (“Be praised”). Both document titles come from Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creatures, praising God and creation.

In 2001, Pope John Paul II, increasingly concerned about damage to the environment, depletion of resources and the impact on the poor, called for “a global ecological conversion.” In 2015, Pope Francis followed the work of popes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict VI (LS 3-6) when he addressed “every person living on this planet,” urgently calling all to hear “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (LS 49).

In Laudato Si’, he presented insights from Scripture and Catholic tradition, together with authoritative factual knowledge from many areas of modern expertise, to ask all people, as a matter of urgency, to “enter into dialogue with all people about our common home” (LS 3). The Pope also invited us to think about the beauty of our world, the meaning of our lives. He reminded us that the principle of the ‘common good” extends to future generations, asking us to think about what kind of world we want to leave to the children growing up now and those who come after us (LS 159-160).

In 2023, in Laudate Deum, Pope Francis wrote even more urgently:

“With the passage of time, I have realised that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point. In addition to this possibility, it is indubitable that the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons. We will feel its effects in the areas of healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migrations, etc.”

This document presents a ‘hard-hitting’, informative analysis of global issues with a specific focus on what is happening to the earth and to its people, especially the poor.

The prayers of “Praying with Pope Francis for Our Common Home” Book 1 can help readers to find inspiration in Pope Francis’ words and encouragement for action as we pray. They offer small steps towards a greater understanding of our call to care for creation and the poor.

The prayers of Book 2 might be seen as having a more urgent tone as we pray for our world, its leaders, and that we may respond to Pope Francis’ call to conversion of heart and action in response to the issues that impact us all. The prayers in either of these books may be used by parishes, families and individuals, and you can alternate the books as prayer resources.

Both books may be viewed online or downloaded for printing, simply click on the images below.