To commemorate the Season of Creation, a celebration Pope Francis established in 2015, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis posted a prayer on Facebook.

“Blessed are you, O God, Creator of the universe, who have made all things good and given the Earth for us to cultivate. Grant that we may always use created things gratefully and share your gift with those in need, out of the love of Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever,” the archdiocese’s prayer reads. 

Pope Francis announced this year’s Season of Creation, which runs until Oct. 4, by telling Catholics, “may this year's theme, ‘Listen to the voice of creation,’ foster a concrete commitment in each person to take care of our common home,” he tweeted. 

Caring for God’s creation is a key part of Catholic theology. Many bishops and Catholic groups have commended Pope Francis for his message and for initiating the annual celebration.

According to the Season of Creation website, ”Statements from religious leaders around the world have also encouraged the faithful to take time to care for creation during the monthlong celebration.” The celebration ends on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the saints who dedicated his life to caring for all of God’s creations. 

Caretaking of the planet is one of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Catholic Church calls on its followers to be stewards of the earth, with the USCCB also acknowledging that environmental challenges sometimes include moral and ethical dimensions.

Mentions of humanity's role in caring for the Earth are present throughout the Bible, the USCCB says. In Genesis, God creates the Earth and instructs humans to care for it. Leviticus notes that the planet should not be abused. The books of Daniel, Matthew and Romans discuss the relationship between God and His Creation. 

In 2015, Pope Francis published his encyclical, Laudato Si, in which he described the destruction of the Earth and reminded the faithful of their duty to protect it, the Vatican says. 

"The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change,” Pope Francis wrote. “The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home."