Pope Francis called on lawmakers around the world on Saturday to rise above “the narrow limits” of partisan politics and reach a swift agreement on combating climate change. The pope spoke to lawmakers gathered in Rome for a preparation meeting ahead of the United Nations’ annual climate conference, which opens on October 31 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Francis mentioned a joint petition he and other religious leaders signed last week, which urges states to commit to ambitious goals at the United Nations summit, which experts see as a key opportunity to address the problem of global warming.
To meet this challenge, everyone has a role to play,” Francis told the visiting lawmakers from many countries. “That of political and government leaders is especially important, and indeed crucial.”
Francis referred to a joint appeal he and other religious leaders signed this week that calls for governments to commit to ambitious goals at the U.N. conference, which experts consider a critical opportunity to tackle the threat of global warming.
“This demanding change of direction will require great wisdom, foresight and concern for the common good: in a word, the fundamental virtues of good politics,” Francis said.
“To meet this challenge, everyone has a role to play,” Francis told the visiting lawmakers from many countries. “That of political and government leaders is especially important, and indeed crucial.”
Francis said in a recent interview that he intended to participate in the U.N.’s upcoming COP26 conference, but the Vatican announced Friday that he would not attend and the Vatican delegation would be led by the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
No explanation was given, but the 84-year-old pope underwent intestinal surgery in July. In an interview with the Spanish bishops’ conference broadcast last month, Francis said he was back to normal, but he conditioned his presence in Glasgow on his continued recovery.The pope expressed hope Saturday that the lawmakers’ efforts in view of the climate conference and beyond “will be illuminated by the two important principles of responsibility and solidarity.”Earlier this month, he gathered almost 40 faith leaders from across the world at the Vatican to sign a joint appeal calling on COP26 to stick to pledges on global warming, carbon neutrality and support for poorer nations to transition to clean energy. In return, the leaders committed to educating and informing their faithful about the climate emergency.
News Summary:
- To combat climate change, Pope Francis has urged lawmakers to ‘tighten’ partisan politics
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