Pope tells faithful to care for planet
Pope Benedict XVI said mankind’s “insatiable consumption” has scarred the Earth and squandered its resources, telling followers that taking care of the planet is vital to humanity.
The 81-year-old pontiff, appearing rested and in good form, gave his first major speech for Roman Catholicism’s World Youth Day before adoring crowds who had traveled from 168 countries to see him in Sydney, Australia’s largest city.
As the sun set in the mild chill of the Australian winter, Benedict struck a theme that has earned him a reputation as the “green pope.”
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