[SeekAndFind]

Here is why I think the Pope is correct ( somewhat )...

God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25).

Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets and animals on the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1).

If one believes in a literal millenial kingdom here on earth, will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25).

[SkyDancer]

Well I hope they lay off the following:

Flies, fleas, mosquito's, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, ticks, etc etc etc ....

[LostInBayport]

Like you I think the Pope might be somewhat correct. I think those animals imbued with something special will join us there in some form. By “something special” I mean those qualities demonstrated by dogs, cats and perhaps some other species that involve emotions like loyalty, kindness, friendship and yes, love.

I find it hard to comprehend that He would create such beauty and extinguish it instead of receiving it back in His kingdom someday.

And, no I do not have a biblical citation for this. I am sure there are untold wonders and surprises awaiting us in Heaven that are not recited in the Bible. Why couldn’t our being greeted by our pets be one of them?

[chesley]

I'd like to think that our pets made it.

I can find nothing in the Bible that supports that, but neither can I find anything that opposes it.

Animals are not moral agents, however. I don't know, but I can always hope..

[Mrs. Don-o]

Right, SeekandFind, there are Scriptures saying that "all creation" is at present groaning to be liberated from futility. (Romans 8).

Romans 8:19-21
For the creation waits in eager expectation
for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration,
not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it,
in hope
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

There is also the vision of the "Peaceable Kingdom" where the lion and he lamb live in peace, and all creation is renewed in the eschatological order (sourced from texts such as the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 2: 2-4 and Isaiah 11:6-9), the Book of Hosea (Hosea 2:18-19), and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:43-48).

This is quite different from saying that human nature and animal nature are the same. Humans are divine image-bearers, and are to live in benevolent dominion over the rest of creation.

There is, by the way, nothing in Laudato Si which contradicts this.