"Can a Pope Help Sustain Humanity and Ecology?"

"VATICAN CITY — For four long days, several dozen physical, environmental and social scientists hunkered here with theologians, philosophers, economists and a poverty campaigner to explore ways to balance human ambitions with the planet’s limits. The rare joint meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences — “Sustainable Humanity, Sustainable Nature, Our Responsibility” — helped demarcate where science leaves off and the rest of society, including organized religion, plays a role in shaping the quality of human life and environmental conditions in this century.

A subtext, of course, was that Pope Francis, who made time to meet briefly with the participants for photographs and a short chat, is working on a possible encyclical letter on the environment and sustainable development."

Andrew C. Revkin reports for the New York Times' Dot Earth blog May 6, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Why Should Evangelical Christians Care About Climate Change?" (Climate Desk/Slate)

"Evangelical Climate Scientist Says 'We Have Been Lied To' About Climate Change" (Catholic Online)