BELEM, Brazil (AP) - In a poignant address delivered via video message at the United Nations climate talks in Belem, Brazil, Pope Leo XIV urged global leaders to take immediate and effective action to combat climate change. He highlighted the dire consequences of inaction, stating that humanity is failing in its response to global warming as God's creation suffers from “floods, droughts, storms, and relentless heat.”
The Pope acknowledged that while some progress has been made, it is insufficient. "One in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes," he emphasized, reminding attendees that for these individuals, the threat of climate change is not a distant concern. "To ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity," he added, underscoring the moral imperative for action.
As the climate talks transition into their second week, high-level ministers from around the globe gathered at the edge of the Brazilian Amazon to engage in critical negotiations. The opening of the week was marked by emotional testimonies from leaders of Global South countries, who spoke forcefully about the devastating impacts of extreme weather events and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
Vulnerable nations have been vocal in their demands for more ambitious action at the talks, as scientific consensus increasingly suggests that the world is likely to exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit, an objective established during the 2015 Paris Agreement. This rise in temperature is linked to a greater frequency of deadly heat and extreme weather events, including severe flooding and hurricanes.
Pope Leo XIV expressed concern that while the goal of the Paris Agreement remains achievable, time is running out. “As stewards of God's creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He entrusted to us,” he declared. The Pope emphasized that the failure does not lie with the Agreement itself, but rather with the lack of political will among some leaders to commit to necessary actions.
This year marked a significant milestone for Pope Leo XIV, who made history as the first American pope. He has actively supported the environmental legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and has dismissed climate skeptics in favor of robust climate action.
Notably, the United States, which ranks as the world's second-largest polluter, chose to skip these crucial climate talks. Former President Donald Trump has previously denounced climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” during a speech at the U.N. General Assembly.
Simon Stiell, the United Nations climate chief, stated that Pope Leo's message challenges global leaders to remain hopeful and proactive. He emphasized that while progress through the Paris Agreement has been made, collective efforts are necessary for greater achievements, noting that bold climate action not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters stronger and fairer economies globally.
David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, remarked on Pope Leo XIV's role as a prominent moral leader against climate change, particularly for vulnerable populations in the Global South facing severe consequences from climate impacts. Gibson noted that Leo's extensive missionary work in Peru has endowed him with a "Latin American heart and voice," reinforcing his commitment to these vital issues.
The Laudato Si' Movement, a Catholic climate organization inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical, described Leo's message as “a profound moral intervention,” asserting that it calls for urgent attention to the plight of vulnerable communities. Executive Director Lorna Gold praised the Pope's ability to cut through the noise of negotiations and reorient leaders toward the essential values of shared humanity and the urgent need for courageous, compassionate, and just action.
