Pope Francis on May 24, 2020, marked the fifth anniversary of the Encyclical Laudato Si’, his call for the care of the earth and the poor. He also announced a special Year of Laudato Si’, which will run through May 24, 2021.

His remarks came after praying the Regina Caeli from the Library of the Apostolic Vatican Palace. He also introduced a new prayer to celebrate the anniversary and called on the faithful around the world to pray it.

“And today also is the fifth anniversary of the Encyclical Laudato Si’, with which we sought to call attention to the cry of the Earth and of the poor,” the Pope said. “Thanks to the initiative of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, the “Laudato Si’ Week, which we just celebrated, will blossom in a special anniversary Year of Laudato Si’, a special Year to reflect on the Encyclical, from May 24 of this year to May 24 of next year.

“I invite all persons of goodwill to adhere to it, to take care of our common home and our more fragile brothers and sisters. The prayer dedicated to this Year is published on the site. It will be good to pray it.”

Prayer for the Special Year of the Anniversary of Laudato Si’

 Loving God,

Creator of Heaven, of earth and of all that they contain.

Open our minds and touch our hearts,

so that we can be part of Creation, your gift.

Be present to the needy in these difficult times,

especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

Help us to show creative solidarity in addressing

the consequences of this global pandemic.

Make us courageous in embracing the changes geared to the search for the common good.

Now more than ever, may we be able to feel that we are all

inter-connected and interdependent.

Make sure that we succeed in listening and responding

to the cry of the earth and to the cry of the poor.

May the present sufferings be the birth pangs of a

more fraternal and sustainable world.

We pray to You through Christ Our Lord,

under the loving gaze of Mary Help of Christians.

Amen.

© Libreria Editrice Vatican

[Original text: Italian]  [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]

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