EarthBeat Weekly: Pope Francis, Laudate Deum: EarthBeat's top stories of 2023

Pope Francis, Laudate Deum: EarthBeat's top stories of 2023 Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change December 22, 2023 Pope Francis responds to questions from rectors of public and private universities from Latin America and the Caribbean at the Vatican Sept. 21, 2023. The pope told the group his new document on the environment would be titled Laudate Deum (Praise God). (CNS/Vatican Media) Each year at EarthBeat, we round up a list of our most popular articles to share with you. EarthBeat's top stories of 2023 will publish on the website next week, but I thought I would give our loyal newsletter readers an early look at which stories most resonated with you this year.  For the purposes of this list, popularity is measured by pageviews on the website. But pageviews are just one measure of a story's impact, and I always take personal feedback from you — our readers — to heart. Let me know if your favorite 2023 EarthBeat story is on the list! And if not, I would love to hear from you which articles you found to be the most interesting, surprising, challenging or hopeful. Send me an email at sclary@ncronline.org or message me on Instagram at @stephanieclaryncr.   EarthBeat's top-10 news stories of 2023 Pope Francis takes on climate deniers, 'irresponsible' Americans in new climate letter By Christopher White (Oct. 4, 2023) Theologians and scientists praise, critique Pope Francis' climate exhortation By Aleja Hertzler-McCain (Oct. 12, 2023) Pope Francis' new environmental exhortation to be released on Oct. 4 By Christopher White (Aug. 30, 2023) Feminist scholar Donna Haraway reacts to inclusion in Pope Francis' climate letter By Aleja Hertzler-McCain (Oct. 18, 2023) Sisters of Loretto permanently preserve 650 acres of 'holy land' in Kentucky By Brian Roewe (Jan. 26, 2023) Pope Francis to travel to Dubai to address UN climate summit By Christopher White (Nov. 1, 2023) (This trip was canceled due to the pope's health at the time.) Congo is being 'martyred' for its natural resources. Will Pope Francis challenge the US, China?  By Christopher White (Jan. 31, 2023) Aging Catholic sisters in US, Ireland continue mission through impact investing Sarah Mac Donald (Oct. 17, 2023) US bishops, Catholic sister meet with White House officials about climate change Aleja Hertzler-McCain (Nov. 17, 2023) Laudato Si' Movement leader to step down from global Catholic environmental network Brian Roewe (Feb. 23, 2023)   EarthBeat's top-5 columns and essays of 2023 In US, 'Laudate Deum' won't make it into many homilies or prompt any marches By Michael Wright (Nov. 6, 2023) Joy Harjo's poem 'Redbird Love' teaches us to watch closely, see clearly By Ray Levy Uyeda (Feb. 4, 2023) The Doctrine of Discovery still rules today. Catholics can help turn the page. By Brittany Koteles (April 28, 2023) Turkey, our national bird of gratitude, carries the seeds for a new world By Damian Costello (Nov. 21, 2023) Why Catholics should divest from plastic in their closets By Lizzy Case (Aug. 15, 2023)     What else is new on EarthBeat:   Chicago Archdiocese to power parishes, schools with 100% renewable energy by Brian Roewe The Chicago Archdiocese announced that its nearly 400 parishes, schools, cemeteries and offices will switch to 100% renewable energy sources for electricity, beginning in January.    Bishop says climate change affects farms, migrants in Washington state by Aleja Hertzler-McCain Like Catholic parishioners across the Yakima Diocese, Bishop Joseph Tyson can tell the warming climate is changing the land in central Washington state, where farmworkers "feel the effects of heat and of smoke."   My endangered Mojave desert tortoise led an epic Advent adventure by Katie Lemaire I've tried Jesse Trees, devotionals and mini-retreats, but none have helped my Advent experience. Small, relatable situations of waiting remind me God's creation is replete with miracles and mysteries.    How Christmas trees help heal the land and grow family traditions by Damian Costello Some ecologically minded people hesitate or oppose harvesting Christmas trees. But a shift fostered by Indigenous people claims that harvesting something respectfully helps the species, the land and humans flourish.    What's happening in other climate news: Biden moves to ban most old-growth logging in national forests —Anna Phillips for The Washington Post Supreme Court takes up fight over EPA smog crackdown —Pamela King and Sean Reilly for E&E News Environmental Protection in the Name of God —Rebecca Randall for Atmos Photos reveal intensity, insecurity and inequality in 2023 as world altered by climate change —Peter Prengaman for The Associated Press   Final Beat: On the first four Mondays of January 2024, EarthBeat will share creation-themed devotions from Kat Armas' book Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture (Brazos Press). To receive these devotions in your inbox, sign up for the EarthBeat Reflections newsletter before Jan. 1. I won't send this newsletter next Friday, Dec. 29, because I will be "out of office" for the week. If you would like to receive EarthBeat's stories in your inbox each day they are published, you can sign up for the EarthBeat Daily newsletter here.  Happy holidays and thanks for reading EarthBeat! Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr Twitter/X: @scherp01     Featured Advertisers   Need fresh ideas for your homilies?  More than 900 relevant and practical homilies at www.seedsforsowing.weebly.com   Advertisement