COLUMN-Why Pope Francis, spiritual leader of a billion souls, cares about saving the material world
June 19 (Reuters) - Pope Francis is drawing inspiration from his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, in issuing his encyclical on the environment, "Laudato sii" or "Be Praised." There had been great anticipation about this papal teaching document. Can the Catholic Church say anything new? Why are so many people - of all faiths and no faith - so keen on a Catholic encyclical?