Pope Francis to COP26: 'Now is the time to act urgently, courageously and responsibly'

On Tuesday, Pope Francis addressed world leaders attending the United Nations climate summit: 'The time for urgent, courageous and responsible action is now.'

In a message read at the Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 2, Pope Francis emphasized the urgency of efforts to protect the environment.

"Now is the time to act, urgently, courageously and responsibly. Not least, to prepare for a future in which our human family will be in a position to take care of itself and the natural environment," Pope Francis said in the message read by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, head of the Holy See delegation to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Pope Francis has sought to encourage environmental protection efforts since his election as Pope in 2013. He issued the encyclical Laudato Si’ in 2015, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, which negotiated the Paris Agreement.

The Glasgow Summit will encourage governments to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In a message dated October 29 and sent to Alok Sharma, President of COP26, Pope Francis said that he had hoped to attend the conference held from October 31 to November 12, but was “unable to”.

There's no time left to wait. Unfortunately, too many people are suffering from the environmental crisis. Urgent and courageous action is urgently needed along with responsible preparation for a future in which humanity will be able to take care of itself and nature #COP26.

“When the Glasgow Conference began, we were all aware that it had the important task of demonstrating to the entire international community whether there really exists the political will to devote… greater human, financial and technological resources to mitigating the negative effects of climate change and supporting the poorer and more vulnerable countries affected by it,” Pope Francis said.

"At the same time, we recognize that this task must be undertaken in the context of a nearly two-year-old pandemic that has devastated our human family. COVID-19 has brought enormous tragedies in its wake, but it has also taught us that, if we are to succeed in overcoming the pandemic, there is no alternative: we must all play a part in responding to this challenge."

‘Young people, who in recent years have urged us to act strongly, will only inherit the planet we choose to leave to them, based on the concrete choices we make today’ – Message of Pope Francis to @ COP26 read by Cardinal Pietro Parolin #TogetherForOurPlanet #Faiths4COP26

Pope Francis said that building a post-pandemic world must begin with “acknowledging the mistakes of the past.”

“Something similar can be said about our efforts to tackle the global problem of climate change,” Pope Francis commented. "There is no alternative. We can only achieve the goals set out by the Paris Agreement if we act in a coordinated and responsible manner. Those goals are ambitious and cannot be postponed any longer. Today, it is up to you to make the necessary decisions."

“COP26 can and must contribute effectively to conscientiously building a future in which daily activities and economic and financial investments can truly protect the conditions that ensure a humane and dignified life for every man and woman today and tomorrow, on a ‘healthy planet’.”

Pope Francis said that the world is facing an “epochal change” in which richer countries have a duty to lead on climate finance, decarbonization, promote a “circular economy” and help vulnerable countries mitigate the impact of climate change.

Pope Francis noted that the Vatican City State has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The pope also recalled that he and other religious leaders signed a joint message at the Vatican on October 4 calling on countries to “achieve net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible.”

“The wounds caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to our human family and the phenomenon of climate change are comparable to the wounds caused by global conflict,” the Pope said.

“Today, as in the aftermath of the Second World War, the international community as a whole needs to prioritize collective, solidarity and farsighted action.”

Pope Francis continued: "We need both hope and courage. Humanity possesses the strength necessary to effect this change, which requires a true conversion, personal as well as communal, and a decisive will that must be exercised when treading this path."

"It will entail a transition towards a more inclusive and integrated development model, based on solidarity and responsibility. That transition also requires serious consideration of the effects it will have on the working world."

Pope Francis proposed that countries that use more natural resources owe an “ecological debt” to vulnerable nations. He also called for renewed attention to the cancellation of the foreign debts of developing countries.

"Sadly, we must admit that we are far from achieving the goals set for tackling climate change. We need to be honest: this cannot continue," Pope Francis said.

"Even as we prepare for COP26, it is increasingly clear that there is no time to waste. Too many of our brothers and sisters are suffering in this climate crisis."

“The lives of countless people, especially the most vulnerable, have experienced its increasingly frequent and devastating impacts.”

“At the same time, we recognize that it also involves a crisis of children's rights, and that in the near future, environmental migrants will outnumber refugees from wars and conflicts.”

Pope Francis concluded by reflecting on the situation of young people.

“Young people, who in recent years have urged us to act strongly, will only inherit the planet we choose to leave to them, based on the concrete choices we make today,” Pope Francis said.

“Now is the time for decisions that can give them reason for hope and confidence in the future.”

Minh Tue (according to CNA)