By The Respondent reporter
Vatican
City
– In a powerful message to the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Pope Francis urged
world leaders to confront climate change with renewed commitment and
cooperation, condemning apathy and self-interest that especially harm the
world’s poorest populations.
Through a speech delivered by Cardinal Pietro
Parolin, the Pope implored nations to overcome selfishness, warning that
environmental degradation and inequality are endangering not only the planet
but also global peace.
Highlighting
the urgency of the environmental crisis, Pope Francis emphasized that caring
for creation is among humanity's greatest responsibilities, underscoring the
vital link between ecological preservation and a harmonious world order. This
year’s UN climate conference, he noted, unfolds amid rising global skepticism
about multilateral action, fueled by “dangerous trends toward division and
isolation.”
“Selfishness—whether
individual, national, or corporate—breeds mistrust and division, failing to
meet the needs of our interdependent world, where we ought to act as one global
family,” read Cardinal Parolin on the Pope’s behalf.
The
message urged leaders to rise above divisive interests, reminding them that
climate action is a moral imperative that transcends borders and national
agendas.
The
Pope called for profound behavioral changes, pressing for a culture that
respects life and human dignity. He emphasized that global climate solutions
should not be motivated by national gain but by the shared good of all.
“The
negative impact of unsustainable lifestyles affects everyone,” he warned. “We
must shape the future together, ensuring that solutions serve the world at
large rather than just a few nations.”
In
an impassioned appeal for debt relief, Pope Francis also highlighted the
interwoven issues of economic and ecological debt, insisting that climate
policies should not burden countries already struggling under crushing
financial obligations.
“Ecological
debt and economic debt are two sides of the same coin,” he declared, calling
for a commitment to debt relief for impoverished nations, especially in
anticipation of the Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee Year. This debt forgiveness, he
argued, is essential for a just transition that enables the poorest nations to
pursue low-carbon, sustainable development.
Advocating
a “new human-centered international financial framework” built on justice,
equity, and solidarity, the Pope envisions an economic model that guarantees
vulnerable nations access to green technology, enabling them to thrive while
reducing emissions.
Cardinal Parolin urged COP29 participants to
dedicate resources and political will to this collective aim, stressing that
real solutions should uplift all humanity, present and future.
Cardinal
Parolin reiterated the Pope’s call for environmental education, framing
ecological awareness as a “human and social issue” that requires collective
responsibility. “Indifference is complicit in injustice,” he warned, quoting
the Pope’s recent exhortation Laudate Deum.
The
Pope’s message to COP29 reflects a passionate commitment to both climate
justice and solidarity. It is an urgent call for world leaders to act
decisively and cooperatively, ensuring that the fight against climate change
becomes a foundation for global unity and a future of shared prosperity.
