Pope Francis on September 1, 2021, released his September prayer video to accompany his intention for the month: An Environmentally Sustainable Lifestyle.

A statement from the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which prepares The Pope Video each month, pointed out that September’s prayer intention fits into a long line of invitations Pope Francis has made urging people to live more simply.

“The need for urgent action to combat the social and environmental crisis isn’t anything new,” read the statement. “There are more and more global alerts to try to raise the awareness of humanity that something must change.”

Here is the text of the video:

It makes me very happy to see that young people have the courage to undertake projects for environmental and social improvement since the two go together.

We adults can learn much from them because, in all matters related to care for the planet, they are at the forefront.

Let us take advantage of their example and reflect on our lifestyle, especially during these moments of health, social and environmental crisis.

Let us reflect on how the way we eat, consume, travel, or the way we use water, energy, plastics, and many other material goods, is often harmful to the earth.

Let us choose to change! Let us advance with young people towards lifestyles that are simpler and more respectful of the environment.

Let us pray that we all will make courageous choices, the choices necessary for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, taking inspiration from our young people who are resolutely committed to this. And they aren’t foolish, because they are committed to their own future. This is why they want to change what they will inherit at a time when we will no longer be here.

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