The Vatican, through the International Theological Commission, gave clear support to vegetarianism in an extensive 148-point document on the global ecological crisis published by the institution. This document was prepared by the Commission, an influential panel of experts that advises the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly the Holy Office. The position was interpreted as direct support for the vegetarian option at a time of environmental crisis.
The theological argument is based on the Book of Genesis, where, according to the Holy See, "the food that God makes available to human beings is the herbs and the fruit trees." The second account of Creation is also cited, where only trees are mentioned as a food source. Based on these biblical passages, the Commission concluded that "the vegetarian movement finds an undeniable foothold here."
This support comes in the context of the growing environmental crisis affecting the planet, which reportedly led to this unexpected turn by the Vatican. The position represents a theological interpretation that favors reducing meat consumption as a way to minimize the negative impacts on the environment and aggression against life on the planet.
