Pope Leo XIV reminds us to be Guardians of Creation and not rivals for its spoils.

As the second week of the COP 30 in Brazil begun on Monday 17th of November, Catholic Bishops from developing countries were reminded to preserve the Amazon region which is a “living symbol of creation and an urgent need for care” by Pope Leo XIV in a video message.

In the Encyclical Letter “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord” of the Holy Father Francis the canticle of Saint Francis of Asisi brings to mind that our Common Home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.

“Praise be to you, my Lord, through our sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs”

Laudato Si' discusses the damage being inflicted on Earth by humans and calls on 'every person living on this planet' to make urgent changes to our lifestyles and how we consume energy in order to protect the planet.

The Amazon rainforest with its beautiful abundance of flora and fauna over a vast rainforest of immense ecosystem helps planet Earths entire climate system lower land surface temperatures, produce rainfall and help to store billions of carbons in its soil and vegetation.

The very length and breadth of the Amazon is both home to locals who live and thrive in the Amazon for millions of years and are entwined with the very nature of the land where they call Mother Earth and home. An extract from Google describes the Amazon rainforest as the world’s largest tropical rainforest, covering much of northwestern Brazil and extending into Colombia, Peru and other South American countries and is famed for its biodiversity.

Pope Leo addressed via video message to a group of Bishops who attended the COP 30 on Monday and were gathered at the Museu das Amazonias or Museum of the Amazonias.

“You chose hope and action over despair, building a global community that works together” said Pope Leo in his video message. Pope Leo XIV gave emphasis that it is not enough, and more work must be done and that hope, and determination must carry on not only in our words but also in actions.

“Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat", noting that "one in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes", Pope Leo reiterated in his video speech.

Pope Leo's video message on Monday 17th November during the second and final week of the COP 30 meet.                                                  PICTURE: Vatican News

In Papua New Guinea, we sadly face the same environmental issues of exploitation as online discourse about the future of the Mighty Sepik river has many environmental watch groups and people fighting for mining operations to stop in the East Sepik province. In our country most of our beautiful rainforest, fauna and natural resources are being exploited and taken over for the sole purpose of “Economic Growth”.

As Christians and faithful servants of Christ, we must stand firm in our call to defend our “Mother Nature”. Jesus saw intrinsic value in Nature, and in most of his parables used Nature as a source of wisdom and a reflection of Gods care. As Christians we are called to care for creation as stewards, reflecting Gods undying love for the World.

Let us all be Warriors of Nature, as we take the stand against threats and destruction aimed at destroying it, let us be bold and fearless as Pope Leo XIV’s address to the Bishops at the COP 30 this week, “ We are Guardians of Creation, not rivals for its spoils" .