In recent weeks, Pope Francis has taken a series of actions that reaffirm his concern about the climate crisis and the urgency of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which begins on October 31.
On the occasion of World Food Day, Francis gave a special message, and through his Twitter account he expressed a series of requests to industries and corporations:
The large mining, oil, forestry, real estate, agribusiness companies to stop destroying nature, to stop polluting, to stop intoxicating people and food.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) October 16, 2021
Before the start of COP26, the Pope is concerned about this event, which wants to ratify what is indicated in the Paris Agreement. A Vatican delegation, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, will be present in Glasgow.
On October 9, the Holy Father met with Italian and European parliamentarians preparing for COP26 in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican. The Pope encouraged them to “let themselves be guided” in their task by two beacons: that of responsibility and that of solidarity.
In addition, on October 7, he led an Academic Act in Rome at the Lateran University of Letran in which the new cycle of studies in ecology and the environment was launched. He was accompanied by Audrey Azoulay, director of Unesco, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and the Grand Chancellor, Cardinal Vicar Angelo De Donati.
There he denounced “perverse actions” against planet Earth, towards which an “evil” is being caused that “is no longer limited to damage to the climate, water and soil, but now threatens life itself on Earth.”
His strong words left those present in silence. In the face of such a complex ecological crisis, “it is not enough to repeat statements of principle, which make us feel reassured, but swift action is needed”.
A few days earlier, on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the concluding day of the Season of Creation, Francis met with religious leaders to sign a joint appeal calling on governments to set firm climate targets and take “urgent, radical and responsible action” with young people and the most vulnerable in mind.
Francis’ many actions speak of a pope committed to the current crisis. What will you do to accompany these actions of the successor of Peter?