This image of a lion emblazoned on the facade of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican was part of an art projection that featured images of humanity and climate change.

The environment-themed installation, called Fiat Lux: Illuminating Our Common Home, was a gift to Pope Francis on the opening day of the Catholic Church's Extraordinary Jubilee, or Holy Year, on Tuesday.

The art projection underscored the church's push for environmental protection, an issue that is fiercely defended by the Pope.

In an open letter issued in June, the pontiff aimed to shape Catholic teaching about humanity's universal responsibility to "care for our common home" and to tackle the causes of the greatest interlinked challenges of our time: climate change and poverty.

Thousands watched the hour-long light show featuring works by renowned photographers such as Brazilian Sebastiao Salgado and Frenchman Yann Arthus Bertrand.

It was timed to coincide with the final days of the global climate change talks in Paris.