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The Pope is a German, who’s lived in Italy (or really the Vatican) for many years. Virtually all Germans I’ve met are extremely pro-green....(cleanliness and a lack of waste, ie. efficiency are very Germanic traits) and environmentally concerned.

I think because Europe is so secular—enviromentalism is the new de-facto religion (it has comparatively little demands) for many, anyway. These attitudes rub off on even very devoutly Christian people who live there.

Notice the Roman Church today is very pacifistic (anti-death penalty and, usually anti-military) today...ALSO a very typical European attitude. No one is immune, to use a German word, from the “Zeitgeist” (spirit of the age) of his culture. On the environment, the pope on this is just typically European.

I suppose there's nothing really un-biblical about being pro-environment. I'm anti-pollution myself as long as it's within reason. And therein lies the conundrum: liberals take it well beyond reason, inventing end-of-the world scenarios. So when I hear "save the planet", I think "save it from what"? This Pope is the Vatican's "conservative" choice, however, and I'm glad we didn't end up with the liberal version. You're right however about the Catholic church's pacifist leanings. Not only are they anti-death penalty and anti-military, but they also by and large seem to be pro-illegal immigration and in many cases pro-homosexuality, although not to the point yet of recognizing gay marriage or openly gay priests. They are still anti-abortion, however. That, hopefully, will never change.