We traditionally link ecological matters with Francis. His humility bespeaks closeness to the earth, and all that grows on and from its soil. He reminds us that piety includes closeness to the earth and all its creatures, a sense of responsibility for them, and, without losing sight of human progress and development, the deliverance of nature from the arrogance of power and profit. We have survived an arms race, but we do not have peace. Violence haunts our cities.
Armed conflict is both threat and reality in the world.
We need especially to know the truth, to be prompted by peace research, and the study of political theory, to unmask stratagems of national interest that endanger or prevent peace, the always fragile work of justice. Peace movements are often suspected of being utopian and unrealistic, while government officials are presumed reasonable and realistic. One would hope that, after shared conversation and study by people representing many responsibilities, reasonable arguments and realistic logic may find a voice in shared conversation among all who search for peace, including especially those whose skills call them to be politicians, economists, and leaders of armed forces. Among other signs of our time, the struggle of women must be named. Much has been said, but much more needs to be said on behalf of women's role in society and in the Church.