On Wednesday (June 5), Francis challenged what he called a “throwaway culture” that harms the environment and disregards human life. He specifically criticized the frequent waste of food in wealthy countries, saying food that is thrown out might as well have been stolen from the poor. Meanwhile, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the US Catholic bishops, joined other bishops from around the world in urging officials of the Group of Eight industrialized nations to do more to protect poor people. G-8 leaders will meet in Northern Ireland the week after next.