For the first time, the heads of the Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches came together to draw attention to the “climate crisis.” They called on all people to look beyond their immediate interests in order to care for the poor and preserve natural resources for future generations.

“As leaders of our Churches, we call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavor to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behavior and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us,” wrote Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.