Pope Francis offered $1 million to go vegan for Lent
Pope Francis has been offered $1 million to give to the charity of his choice if he goes vegan for Lent.
Million Dollar Vegan, the non-profit campaign behind the offer, says it wants the Pope to try a plant-based diet to "help fight climate change with diet change.”
The campaign’s statement also explains that the Pope’s involvement would help bring awareness to the “devastating impact of animal agriculture.”
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports global warming is affected more by animal agriculture than by fuel emissions. The report also notes the suffering of farm animals, and says the practice causes deforestation and a loss of bio-diversity.
Pope Francis has previously spoken out against animal cruelty. In 2015 he tweeted: “It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.”
Million Dollar Vegan, led by 12 year-old animal rights activist Genesis Butler, also had its letter signed by longtime vegetarian Paul McCartney.
Going beyond its papal ambitions, the non-profit went on to say it encourages every Catholic to go vegan for Lent.
