MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle yesterday hinted that Pope Francis might issue an encyclical on climate change during his visit to the country.
“The project of the encyclical of the pope on the environment is true,” Tagle said.
He said he heard the pope talking with some people in the Vatican who are helping him draft the document.
“When he was asked in one meeting by a journalist, he said the document was not yet ready because a lot of serious studies are needed,” Tagle said.
The pope is reportedly verifying the facts that would be mentioned in the document.
The vicar of Christ might also want to show concern for the environment, Tagle said.
Argentine Cardinal Mario Jorge Bergoglio took on the name Pope Francis, patron saint of ecology.
Meanwhile, Tagle also discouraged people from taking a “selfie picture” with Pope Francis.
He said many people have often asked him if they could have a selfie with the pontiff.
“Does it make a significance? Will we become sovereign, just, truthful and loving just because you have a selfie with him? If your phone memory is filled up you will just delete the picture. You will just treat it as a souvenir,” he said.