It matters not if you are religious, not religious, a person of faith of any kind, or somewhere in between; there can be no denying Pope Francis’ influence on and importance to millions of people and organizations worldwide. Notably, he recognized the worldwide problem we face with the ongoing destruction of nature, the courage it takes to change course, and the disproportional impacts on the poorest among us.

In his now well-known encyclical letter, Laudato Si’, he called for more caring for our common home. He criticized our “throwaway culture”;

“These problems are closely linked to a throwaway culture which affects the excluded just as it quickly reduces things to rubbish… It is hard for us to accept that the way natural ecosystems work is exemplary: plants synthesize nutrients which feed herbivores; these in turn become food for carnivores, which produce significant quantities of organic waste which give rise to new generations of plants.” ~ Pope Francis (1936-2025), Encyclical Letter, May 24, 2015

One might find an example in throwing away an old tree, many old trees, throwing away wetlands — to build something new, attempting to pacify its disposal with other trees. Someone can claim it is in the interest of “the greater good,” in doing an honorable thing of helping the poor, but this is simply a false choice fallacy. It does not need to be one or the other. The Pope recognized that the poor will bear the brunt of our environmental challenges, so we should not perpetuate them, especially with fallacious arguments.

His 2023 exhortation, Laudato Deum, had this call for action:

“We must move beyond the mentality of appearing to be concerned but not having the courage needed to produce substantial changes… Once and for all, let us put an end to the irresponsible derision that would present this issue as something purely ecological, “green”, romantic, frequently subject to ridicule by economic interests… Let us finally admit that it is a human and social problem.” ~ Pope Francis (1936-2025), Laudate Deum, Oct. 04, 2023

Token gestures and events can hold symbolic meaning, just like a single tree can hold a greater meaning of preservation beyond itself. Only if substantive changes in actions and decision-making reflect them.

“Nonetheless, we risk remaining trapped in the mindset of pasting and papering over cracks, while beneath the surface there is a continuing deterioration to which we continue to contribute. To suppose that all problems in the future will be able to be solved by new technical interventions is a form of homicidal pragmatism, like pushing a snowball down a hill.” ~ Pope Francis (1936-2025), Laudate Deum, Oct. 04, 2023

So yes, let us PLANT TREES, lots of them, we do have a lot of cracks to paper over – in the spaces where our short-sighted mindset of the past created these ecological deserts. And let us PRESERVE TREES that remind us we are all connected and can learn from these past mistakes.

To use the reference again, as James Vukelich reminds us in the word “Mitig,” they are considered relatives and remind us of the connectivity in nature. Pope Francis knew and tried to teach this. Will his words, teachings, and pleas die along with him?