This book is inspired by Pope Francis, who helped the Church care for God’s creation in a special way and now rests in heaven with the Lord.
God made the heavens and the earth and it was good. Genesis 1:1-31
Laudato Si’ means “Praise be to You.” In this special message, Pope Francis reminds us that the Earth is a gift from God—our common home. God made a beautiful world for us. We are called to love it, care for it, and protect it. Look around you... What is something beautiful in God’s creation? Draw or write your answer below:
Care for Creation
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God loves and cares for all of creation. Matthew 6:25-34
Everything in nature is a gift from God. When we notice these gifts, we grow in gratitude. Draw or write three things in nature you are thankful for: 1
2
3
Say a short prayer: “Thank You, God, for…”
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1
Care for Creation
LISTEN Care begins by paying attention. What do you notice in creation around you? Ask yourself, “What can I learn about God, creation, and responsibility through my senses?” Draw or write three things you see, hear, or feel.
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2 WELCOME
Care makes room for others. Who or what can you make room for today? What small action can you take to care for creation, others, or yourself? Draw a picture of a place where people, animals, and plants can all belong.
3 LEARN
Creation can also be our teacher. What can a tree, river, animal, or season teach you? Choose one and write or draw what it teaches you. How does a tree change through the seasons, and what can it teach you about caring for creation?
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4 WORK
Faith gets its hands dirty! How do you use your hands to care for creation? Do you pick up litter, plant something, save water, feed an animal, or help care for a shared space? Draw a picture or write about one way you use your hands to care for God’s creation. How did this activity make you feel?
5 SHARE
What we receive becomes a responsibility. What is one gift from creation that you are thankful for? Choose one way you can care for it, and make a promise: “I will _______________________________________________ because ___________________________________________.” Sign your name: _____________________________________ My promise to creation: ______________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
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Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation. Genesis 2:15
We can all help care for the Earth —one small step at a time.
I promise to:
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All the earth is the Lord’s. Psalm 24:1-2
God calls us to care for His creation. Can you find the hidden words? Circle the words hidden in the puzzle below. Words can go across, up and down, diagonal—and even backward!
CREATION EARTH WATER TREES
LOVE CARE GOD THANKFUL RECYCLE PLANT
P LANT
SUN
Q P S E A R T H V U G S L M R P B O E N Z F A C L J P B E Z G N K L E R I A O D G U E L P O I B F F M H A T R O W U M Q D E V I V B L O V E K A G H J P T N V A L F G B C N T X I M N A D E K O Z U F H E N S T G H O A Q V A U W R W T H A N K F U L I S P E A F J D C R T K X O M E S U N O I T A E R C Z U I B P S N L O B C W F V A D R A Q U C E P S D Y H J V K N O R S I P X F O R E C Y C L E B
SE ERT
ANIMALS
ERAC
Word List:
Which word was the hardest to find?
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The land itself must be given a rest and not abused. Leviticus 25:1-7
The Earth is our common home. Let us protect it with love.
What is one way you will care for our common home this week?
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Who Was Saint Francis? Saint Francis of Assisi was a man who loved God, people, and all of creation. He saw the world as a gift and treated animals, nature, and others with kindness and respect. He reminds us to live simply, share generously, and care for our common home. Did you know that the Pope chose the name “Francis” for Saint Francis of Assisi? When Pope Francis became pope, he chose the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi. He chose this name because: • Saint Francis cared deeply for the poor and forgotten • He lived a life of simplicity and humility • He called people to care for God’s creation Pope Francis wanted the Church to reflect these same values, especially caring for the poor and protecting the Earth.
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Try This! Draw or write one way you can follow Saint Francis this week: Help someone in need
Spend time in nature and thank God
Be kind to animals
Choose to live simply
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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Creation reveals the nature of God. Romans 1:20
Small actions can make a big difference!
I turn off the lights when I leave a room.
I don’t waste water.
I throw trash in the right place.
I recycle when I can.
I take care of plants and trees.
I am kind to animals.
Check the ones you will do today!
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Creation and all created things are inherently good because they are of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 10:26
God made a beautiful world for us to enjoy and protect. Color the picture below!
As you color, think about this: How can you take care of God’s world?
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We thank God for the life and example of Pope Francis, whose love for creation continues to inspire us, and who is now being followed by Pope Leo XIV, who continues to care for the Church and all of God’s creation in his pastoral leadership.
Pope Leo XIV | September 1, 2025 For the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2025
“For believers it is also a duty born of faith, since the universe reflects the face of Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and redeemed. In a world where the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters are the first to suffer the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation and pollution, care for creation becomes an expression of our faith and humanity.”
laudatosi.va archny.org/care-for-creation
Illustrations by Vinny Bove