This article presents a systemic analysis of John Paul II’s ecological teaching, revealing its internal structure, anthropological foundations, and theological and social consequences. Based on social encyclicals (Redemptor hominis, Laborem exercens, Sollicitudo rei socialis, Centesimus annus), messages of peace (especially the message Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All Creation, 1990) and Wednesday catechesis on creation, the analysis examines the development of the concept of “human ecology”, which is key to interpreting the ecological dimension of the Pope’s thought. A review of secondary literature (Babiński 2012; Twardowski 2012; Skowroński 2004; Feszczyn 2002; Wołyniec 2017; Mariański 2002) allows us to place the Pope’s teaching in the context of Catholic eco-theology and social ethics. The article shows that for John Paul II, the ecological issue is not exclusively environmental in nature, but stems from a moral and anthropological crisis, encompassing both man’s relationship with nature and with himself, other people and God. In conclusion, it is pointed out that “peace with creation” is an integral part of Catholic social teaching and, at the same time, the foundation of the Christian response to the contemporary ecological crisis.
Keywords:John Paul II; Christian ecology; human ecology; theology of creation; Catholic social teaching; ecological crisis; theological anthropology; ecological ethics; eco-theology; peace with creation; moral responsibility; integral ecology; solidarity; common good; moral theology
