Pope Francis: Messages for Earth Day

Pope Francis has appealed to mankind not manipulate or exploit the planet.

Speaking at the end of the weekly General Audience in St Peter's Square the Pope noted that on April 22 we celebrate Earth Day. "I exhort everyone to see the world through the eyes of God the Creator: the earth is an environment to be safeguarded, a garden to be cultivated" he said.

The Holy Father continued: "The relationship of mankind with nature must not be conducted with greed, manipulation and exploitation, but it must conserve the divine harmony that exists between creatures and Creation within the logic of respect and care, so it can be put to the service of our brothers, also of future generations."

In his Twitter Message for Earth Day, Pope Francis said: 'We need to care for the earth so it may continue, as God willed, to be a source of life for the entire human family."

Source: VIS/Twitter