As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis at age 88, his deep commitment to animals and the environment stands as a defining aspect of his papacy. From his choice of papal name—honouring Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology—to his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis consistently championed the intrinsic value of all creation.
We take a look at some of Pope Francis’s defining beliefs and inspiring comments and quotes.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, left behind a profound legacy that emphasised the intrinsic value of all creatures and the interconnectedness of life.
His teachings, particularly in the encyclical Laudato Si’, called for a compassionate and ethical relationship with animals and the environment.
Pope Francis on animals and nature: a call for connected compassion
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis articulated a vision where humanity is not separate from nature but an integral part of it. He challenged the prevailing mindset of domination over nature, advocating instead for stewardship and respect.
He also warned against the exploitation of natural resources and the commodification of animals, emphasising that such actions lead to environmental degradation and moral decline.
Beyond Laudato Si’, Pope Francis consistently spoke out against animal cruelty and the mistreatment of the environment. He often highlighted the moral implications of our actions towards animals, stating that cruelty towards any creature is contrary to human dignity.
The Pope also urged for a reevaluation of our lifestyles, consumption patterns, and the systems that perpetuate harm to animals and nature.
Laudato Si’ – ‘On care for our common home’
In 2015, Pope Francis released Laudato Si’, an encyclical (a formal papal letter) subtitled ‘On care for our common home’. It was a call to action on environmental and social justice issues. Grounded in Catholic theology, it also resonated beyond the Church, urging people of all faiths—and none—to rethink their relationship with the Earth and all living beings.
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis wrote:
•“We are not God… [W]e must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures.”
He also drew a direct link between how we treat animals and how we treat each other:
• “We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people.”
On the idea of animals sharing in eternal life, he offered this hopeful reflection:
• “Eternal life will be a shared experience of awe, in which each creature, resplendently transfigured, will take its rightful place.”
Pope Francis’s quotes and public teachings about animals and the environment:
From Laudato Si’:
“We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people. Every act of cruelty towards any creature is contrary to human dignity.”
“Human beings frequently seem to see no other meaning in their natural environment than what serves for immediate use and consumption.”
“Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.”
“Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in lifestyles, models of production and consumption, and the established structures of power which today govern societies.”
“It must also be concerned for the world around us and take into account the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system.”
“The natural environment has been gravely damaged by our irresponsible behaviour.”
“Humanity runs the risk of destroying [nature] and becoming in turn a victim of this degradation.”
Some more quotes from Pope Francis:
“Every creature, particularly a living creature, has an intrinsic value, in its existence, its life, its beauty and its interdependence with other creatures.” – Speech to the UN General Assembly, 2015
“We must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures.”
“It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.” – on animal testing
A call to ecological conversion
Pope Francis used his global platform to urge not just incremental change, but what he called a “bold cultural revolution”:
• He railed against the “throwaway culture”, advocating instead for an “integral ecology” that respects both human dignity and the planet.
• “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.”
• In his 2023 follow-up document Laudate Deum, he criticised the slow pace of climate action, particularly the reliance on fossil fuels, and reminded world leaders that “the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”
Blessings of the animals
In keeping with the spirit of Saint Francis, Pope Francis participated in and supported animal blessing events held at the Vatican.
On multiple occasions, he personally blessed animals brought by farmers, families, and performers—everything from sheep and dogs to parrots and horses.
These blessings reflected his belief that all creatures are part of God’s creation and worthy of care and dignity.
Events like the annual “Blessing of the Animals” outside St Peter’s Basilica are one of the many reminders of Pope Francis’s reverence for animal life.
A legacy of compassion
Whether you’re a person of faith or simply someone who values kindness towards animals and the planet, Pope Francis’s teachings and his views on animals leave a powerful legacy—and an ongoing call to us all to care more deeply for all life.