Tropical Forests Destruction in S. America is Sin of Modern Times - Pope

 

Pope Francisco called for more respect for nature on Saturday, calling the destruction of tropical forests in South America and other forms of environmental exploitation as sins of modern times.

In a speech at the University of Molise, an agricultural and industrial region in southern Italy, Francisco said he should be allowed to offer off the Earth without being exploited.

"This is one of the greatest challenges of our time: go to a type of development that respects creation," he told the students, farmers and workers in the lobby of the university.

"When I look at America, also my homeland (South America), many are now cleared forest land ... that they can not give life. This is our sin, exploit the land and not let him give us what you have for us" said Argentine potato on a spontaneous statements.

Francisco, which took its name from St. Francis of Assisi, the saint XIII still considered the patron saint of animals and the environment, is writing an encyclical on the relationship between man and nature.

Since his election in March 2013, the leader of the Catholic Church, with about 1,200 million followers worldwide, has made several interventions in favor of the environment. 

(Reporting by Philip Pullella, editing by Francisco Pazos)