John Mundell reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis and his concern for our common home

During the past 10 years, Mundell & Associates President and Founder, John Mundell has been involved in promoting the teachings of “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” the late Pope Francis’s encyclical on caring for the earth and environmental justice.

Soon after the encyclical was released in 2015, John started working internationally with Vatican officials as well as locally in a new ministry initiated by former Indianapolis’ former Archbishop Joseph Tobin. In 2022, John was asked to head up the worldwide Laudato Si’ Action Platform, an organization working with individuals and groups around the world take concrete action in caring for creation.

With the Pope’s passing, John had a chance to share his experiences working in the both the local and international Catholic community. John spoke to CBS 4 / FOX 59 Indianapolis about his connection with Pope Francis as a Catholic and owner of an environmental consulting firm. He was also interviewed by the central Indiana Catholic newspaper The Criterion as part of a piece on about how Pope Francis inspired action in environmental advocacy.

John reflects with Criterion writer Sean Gallagher on his journey and experience working with Vatican officials: “I was listened to,” Mundell said. “A lot of people didn’t have the environmental background that I did. There was a trust in me there, and it helped me realize that the Church is a Church for everyone. Every person can make a contribution.”

Now that Pope Francis has died, Mundell is filled with “an immense gratitude” for him and his ministry as the Church’s universal pastor and a hope that his teachings on care for creation, rooted firmly in the Gospel, will continue on well into the future.

“It changes you forever,” Mundell said. “It allows you to have resiliency, strength and faith. We can overcome a lot of difficulties. The vision of the Gospel that is there is something worth dying for. It is. I’m so grateful that it’s left its mark that won’t go away.”

Check out the full article in The Criterion to hear stories of others inspired by Pope Francis to work for caring for creation and its connection to those in need.