'As stewards of these riches which we have received, we have an obligation toward society as a whole and toward future generations,' Francis said. 'We cannot bequeath this heritage to them without proper care for the environment, without a sense of gratuitousness born of our contemplation of the created world.' His call was particularly relevant for Ecuador, a Pacific nation that is home to one of the world's most species-diverse ecosystems but which is also an OPEC country heavily dependent on oil extraction. 'The goods of the Earth are meant for everyone, and however much someone may parade his property, it has a social mortgage,' Francis said.
There were trinkets available:
