Commentary: Pope Francis was a climate hero. Trump's reign gives his words extra meaning

While Donald Trump's presidency deepened the climate crisis through anti-environmental policies and cuts to renewable energy funding, Pope Francis' "Laudato Si" called for urgent action against global warming. His encyclical emphasized the connection between poverty, climate change, and human responsibility, urging governments and individuals to take decisive steps to protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Though media coverage of Francis' legacy was limited in his lifetime, his call to action remains a stark contrast to Trump's environmental undermines, highlighting the need for collective efforts to address humanity's impact on Earth.