Pope Francis has reportedly spent months drafting his new encyclical.

In March, during an audience with superiors from the Franciscan order, the Pope expressed how much this topic concerns him, and asked them for advice.

Order of Friars Minor minister general Fr Michael Anthony Perry said Pope Franics talked about his deep concern that the Church needs to find the way to respond, using the best of science.

"But also using the best of goodwill of all of humanity, to bring together a consensus on trying to respond to the crisis, the ecological crisis," Fr Perry said.

The Pope will be very busy in October and beforehand with the family synod and its preparations, so Fr Perry did not expect the encyclical before this.

He speculated that November is a possibility for its release.

Vatican sources have indicated early 2015 as the most likely time for the new encyclical.

Continue reading