Azul Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 21, 2025
CONTACT: media@azul.org
Azul Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis
Washington D.C. (April 21, 2025) – In response to the passing of Pope Francis, Azul’s Founder and Executive Director, Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis – a world leader who used his voice and platform to protect our planet and stand up for vulnerable communities around the world.
In choosing the name Francis, he made it clear that caring for our planet would be at the heart of his work. As the first Pope from Latin America, his leadership called attention to the intersection of the climate crisis and the need for justice. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ challenged the narrative around climate change, reminding us all that the climate crisis isn’t just about the environment – it’s also about justice, equity, and our shared humanity. He called on the world to address the intertwined crises of our time, and throughout his papacy, he championed migrant rights and advocated for vulnerable communities worldwide, reminding us in the Lauado Si’ that ‘we are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.’
Pope Francis used every opportunity to lend his voice in defense of our planet and communities. We know his lasting legacy will continue to inspire future generations to care for our common home and for each other. May he rest in power.”
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Azul is an ocean justice organization working with Latino communities to protect our blue planet. Founded in 2011, Azul has developed –and executed– campaigns that achieved groundbreaking ocean conservation policy victories at local, national and international levels.