"With the money spent on arms and other military expenditures, let’s establish a global fund that can end hunger, carry out works for the sustainable development of the poorer countries and combat climate change."
In the recent Exhortation, addressed to all people of good will on the climate crisis, the Pope warns that we are at "a breaking point," and that action must be taken before it is too late, to protect future generations.
COP28 will have the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a COP, dedicated to the engagement of faith communities.
On 7 November28 faith leaders, drawing from all the world’s major religions, signalled their commitment to environmental action with the signing of ‘Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence’ known as ‘The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28.’
“Praise God” is the title of this letter. For when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies."
Vatican 4. October 2023: The efforts made so far to tackle the climate crisis are not enough. Pope Francis issues this exhortation in his new letter "Laudate Deum".
We must, says the Pope, “keep hoping that COP28 will allow for a decisive acceleration of energy transition, with effective commitments subject to ongoing monitoring. This Conference can represent a change of direction”
"59. If there is sincere interest in making COP28 a historic event that honours and ennobles us as human beings, then one can only hope for binding forms of energy transition that meet three conditions: that they be efficient, obligatory and readily monitored. This, in order to achieve the beginning of a new process marked by three requirements: that it be drastic, intense and count on the commitment of all. That is not what has happened so far, and only a process of this sort can enable international politics to recover its credibility, since only in this concrete manner will it be possible to reduce significantly carbon dioxide levels and to prevent even greater evils over time.
61. May those taking part in the Conference be strategists capable of considering the common good and the future of their children, more than the short-term interests of certain countries or businesses. In this way, may they demonstrate the nobility of politics and not its shame. To the powerful, I can only repeat this question: “What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to power, only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so?”
Laudate Deum was published on the commemoration day of St. Francis of Assisi, 4 October. In 65 pages, Francis offers his moral authority as head of the universal Catholic Church to encourage "all people of good will" and especially politicians to make more efforts for people and the environment.