Pope and Religious Leaders Make Pre-COP26 Appeal on Climate Change, Reports Reuters

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and a group of religious leaders made a united call on Monday for the upcoming U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) to produce practical solutions that can help address what they described as "an unprecedented ecological crisis."

The meeting titled "Faith and Science: Towards COP26" included prominent Christian figures such as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, along with representatives from a variety of religious traditions including Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism.

Pope Francis emphasized the importance of the conference in Glasgow, stating it signifies a crucial opportunity to address the current ecological and moral crises, while offering hope for future generations. Instead of delivering a formal address in the Vatican, he conveyed his message in a way that allowed more time for other speakers.

The appeal characterized climate change as a "grave threat" and was presented to Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Alok Sharma, the president of COP26.

Sharma noted the significance of the faith leaders present, who together represent around three-quarters of the global population, highlighting the importance of their voices in the debate on climate action.

In his remarks, Welby called for a reformed global financial system that acknowledges past mistakes and encourages sustainable practices. He warned that humanity has waged a "war on creation," with climate impacts disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.

The joint statement urged governments worldwide to implement strategies aimed at limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and achieving net-zero carbon emissions as soon as feasible. The appeal stressed that wealthier nations should lead by example, both by reducing their own emissions and by supporting poorer countries in their climate efforts.

Participants emphasized the interconnectedness of all nations regarding climate challenges. Rajwant Singh, a Sikh leader from the U.S., expressed that the fate of one nation impacts everyone.

In his written address, Pope Francis acknowledged the diversity of cultural and religious backgrounds as a source of strength in environmental advocacy, asserting that no barriers should prevent collaboration.

The Vatican’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, expressed hopes that the meeting would elevate aspirations for the outcomes of COP26. Scotland’s bishops had previously indicated that the pope would attend the conference’s opening session, depending on his health, with a decision anticipated soon.

Pope Francis, now 84, has been a strong advocate for the objectives of the 2015 U.N. Paris Agreement aimed at combating global warming. He recently told young people that they may be "perhaps the last generation" able to save the planet.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has rejoined the Paris Agreement following the previous administration’s withdrawal, and a meeting between Biden and the pope is expected at the end of October.