CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE SOCIAL TEACHING OF THE CHURCH THE CONTRIBUTION OF POPE FRANCIS TO INTEGRAL ECOLOGY AND GLOBAL SOLIDARITY

The 21st century is marked by a convergence of complex social and ecological crises, including fundamentalism, democratic instability, social injustice, climate change, wa- ter scarcity, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. This paper explores the Catholic Church's response to these pressing challenges, with a particular focus on Pope Fran- cis's contribution through his teachings on integral ecology. Drawing on the social doctrine of the Church, principles such as solidarity, the common good, and ecological responsibility are examined in the context of global crises. In his encyclicals Laudato si' and Laudate Deum, Pope Francis emphasizes the need for a holistic ecological and soci- etal transformation that integrates justice for the poor and environmental sustainabil- ity. His call for a >> cultural revolution << challenges dominant paradigms of consump- tion and economic exploitation, urging for systemic changes in politics, economics, and human behaviour. Furthermore, the paper highlights the role of the Church as a global actor, capable of fostering cross-border solidarity, advocating for the marginalized, and promoting sustainable development. The analysis also considers Pope Francis's vision of global fraternity, as articulated in Fratelli tutti, which interconnects human dignity, justice, and environmental ethics. The Church's socio-ecological mission addresses not only immediate challenges but also seeks to inspire long-term structural and spiritual transformations. This includes leveraging the Church's rich traditions of social justice and ascetic practices to model sustainable lifestyles. Ultimately, the Church's engage- ment aims to align human progress with the preservation of creation, advocating for policies and practices rooted in global solidarity and intergenerational responsibility.