The new book recounts the pope's vision for integral ecology

In a new book with his conversations with Pope Francis, Italian environmental activist Carlo Petrini said he hopes the published discussions will contribute to the foundations laid out by Laudato Si '.

The book, entitled TerraFutura (Future Earth): Conversations with Pope Francis on Integral Ecology, intends to underline the importance of the pope's encyclical on the environment and its impact on the world five years after its publication in 2015.

“If we want to use human life as a metaphor, I would say that this encyclical is entering its adolescence. He has passed his childhood; he learned to walk. But now comes the time of youth. I am confident that this growth will be very stimulating, ”Petrini told reporters on 8 September presenting the book in the Sala Marconi in the Vatican.

In 1986 Petrini founded the Slow Food Movement, a grassroots organization that promotes the preservation of local gastronomic culture and traditional cuisine to counter the rise of fast food chains and food waste.

The activist and author told reporters he first spoke to Pope Francis when the pope called him in 2013, several months after his election. The book presents three conversations between Petrini and the pope from 2018 to 2020.

In a conversation on May 30, 2018, the pope recalled the genesis of his encyclical, Laudato Si ', which began in 2007 during the V Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops in Aparecida, Brazil.

Although many of the Brazilian bishops spoke passionately about the "great problems of the Amazon," the pope admitted that at the time he was often irritated by their speeches.

"I remember very well feeling annoyed by their attitude and commenting: 'These Brazilians drive us crazy with their speeches!'", The Pope recalled. "At that time I did not understand why our episcopal assembly should devote itself to the theme of 'Amazonia; for me the health of the 'green lung' of the world was not a concern, or at least I did not understand what had to do with my role as bishop “.

Since then, he added, "a long time has passed and my perception of the environmental problem has completely changed".

The pope also agreed that many Catholics had the same reaction to his encyclical, Laudato Si ', so it was important to "give everyone time to understand it."

“However, at the same time, we have to change our paradigms very quickly if we want to have a future,” he said.

In a conversation with Petrini on July 2, 2019, several months before the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, the pope also lamented the attention of "some journalists and opinion leaders" who said that "the synod was organized in such a way that the pope may allow Amazonian priests to marry ”.

"When did I ever say that?" the pope said. “As if this were the main problem to worry about. On the contrary, the Synod for the Amazon will be an opportunity for discussion and dialogue on the great issues of our day, themes that cannot be ignored and that must be at the center of attention: environment, biodiversity, inculturation, social relations, migration, fairness and equality. "

Petrini, who is agnostic, told reporters that he hopes the book will bridge the gap between Catholics and non-believers and unite them in building a better world for future generations.

Asked if his beliefs changed after his discussions with the pope, Petrini said that although he is still an agnostic, anything is possible.

“If you want a good spiritual response, I would like to quote a fellow citizen of mine, (St. Joseph Benedetto) Cottolengo. He said: 'Never put limits on Providence' ”, said Petrini.