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PEOPLE’S MARCH FOR THE EARTH
THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS ON THE STREETS OF ROME FOR POPE FRANCIS'
ENCYCLICAL LAUDATO SI'
"NOW IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNMENTS: MAY THE HOLY FATHER’S' WORDS GUIDE THEM
AT THE CLIMATE CONFERENCE IN PARIS"
Rome, November 8th, 2015
"Today the world of universal solidarity and that of integral ecology, came together at the
Colosseum and in St. Peter's Square to march in defense of the Climate. Thousands of people
demanding a decisive and binding political action about climate change connected with the
messages that Pope Francis has launched through the Encyclical Laudato Si'. Global leaders in
Paris should be aware that behind that voice are those of millions of people who will no longer
accept not to have a solution to an issue as pressing and crucial as the survival of the planet. The
past 20 UN Climate Conferences (COP) have not yet been able to achieve significant results. This
cannot happen in Paris, as we risk to make climate change and its devastating consequences
irreversible" - states Pierluigi Sassi, President of Earth Day Italia, co-organizer, with
Connect4Climate and Earth Day Network, of the People’s March for the Earth taking place on the
Day for the Care of Creation celebrated by the Vicariate of Rome
The march saw an enthusiastic and overwhelming response, populating the streets of the Eternal
City with thousands of citizens and over a hundred associations united to celebrate Pope Francis’
messages and the Laudato Si' and Encyclical. Affirming that the destiny of the Earth is at stake and
depends on what will be decided at COP21 in December – the march saw the participation of
people from all walks of life, and stretched from the Coliseum until the Fori Imperiali to demand
solid policies and concrete actions.
Pierluigi Sassi delivered a heartfelt message to Pope Francis, who greeted the participants of the
March during the Angelus in San Peter’s Square. The Holy Father’s message was joyfully received
also in Piazza SS Apostoli, where participants were able to watch the Angelus on a maxi screen
after the Sunday Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vallini.
Says Lucia Grenna, Program Manager of Connect4Climate: "Today was a very important step
towards the safety of the planet: the People’s March for the Earth, in fact, starts in Rome, but does
not end here, it goes on all the way to Paris. Pope Francis' message leads this journey, because his
words go straight to the hearts and consciences of everybody, from the world leaders who will have
to reach a binding agreement on climate change at COP 21, to all the citizens of the world who
daily and concretely take actions for the care of our common home".
"This is the first march on the road to Paris, and it is fitting that it leads to St. Peter's Square where
the Pope speaks to the hopes of the people around the world and our quest to save the planet and its
people”, adds Kathleen Rogers, President of the Earth Day Network, who has come to Rome to
give her full support to the initiative leading up to the Conference in Paris.
The Day for the Care of Creation also saw artistic performances and sustainable food booths at
the Villaggio Laudato Si’ in Piazza SS Apostoli, organized by the Franciscans of the SS Apostoli
Basilica with the Vicariate of Rome. The village aims to promote 'new lifestyles in the respect of
the Creation' and to ask for 'food for all.' At 5 pm in Piazza Santi Apostoli a Concert for the Earth
concluded a full day of strong civil commitment.