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Pope Francis’ Address at UN COP28: Choosing Life Over Death and Urging Global Action

On Saturday, December 2, the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, read Pope Francis’ address in Dubai, where the Conference of the Parties to the UN General Convention on Climate Change (COP28) is taking place. The Holy Father could not come there due to his health. Cardinal Parolin heads the delegation of the Holy See.

Jānis Evertovskis – Vatican

Addressing world leaders participating in the conference, the Pope asks the question: “Are we working for a culture of life or death?”. And he continues: “I’m begging you: let’s choose life, let’s choose the future! Let’s listen to the groans of the earth, let’s hear the cries of the needy, let’s turn our ears to the hopes of young people and the dreams of children! We have a great responsibility to ensure that their future is not taken away”.

The current climate change is caused by global warming, the main cause of which is the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This, in turn, is the result of human activity harmful to the ecosystem. The desire to produce and acquire has become an obsession and has led to unlimited greed. Thus, the environment is made an object of use. Sudden climate change sounds like a warning to stop this insane display of omnipotence. Let us humbly and courageously admit our limitations – the Pope calls.

He points out that the biggest obstacle to solving the challenges of climate change is mutual division and lack of consensus. Attempts to blame the poor and the high birth rate in poor countries are especially noticeable. But this is not the fault of the poor, as almost half of the world’s population is poor, and they are responsible for only 10% of all emissions. They are victims of what is happening – emphasizes Francis. The gap between the rich few and the poor has never been greater.

What would be the solution? – asks the Pope. Common path, multilateralism or multilateralism. The world is becoming so multipolar and at the same time so complex that effective cooperation requires a different framework. It is not enough to think only about the balance of power. Universal and effective rules must be put forward. The trust that underpins multilateralism needs to be restored. This applies both to caring for creation and to peace. These two issues are very relevant and closely related. How much energy is humanity wasting in the current wars – in Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. Conflicts do not solve problems, they only increase them. How many resources are wasted in the production of weapons that destroy human lives and destroy our common home, that is, destroy the environment! The Pope repeats the proposal already expressed in his encyclical Fratelli tutti and Paul VI’s encyclical Populorum progressio, to create a worldwide fund to eradicate hunger and support the development of poor countries from the money that is directed to weapons and other military expenses.

Climate change indicates the need for changes in the political field – says Francis. He believes that it is necessary to change the course – not to change partially, but to move forward together along a new path. Remembering the 1992 Rio de Janeiro conference, which paved the way for the fight against climate change, and the Paris agreement concluded in 2015, the Pope calls for resolutely continuing the path and giving humanity a concrete sign of hope. He wishes that this COP28 conference will become a turning point, confirming a clear and tangible political will to accelerate ecological transformation. This should be done in an efficient, engaging and easily understandable manner. In this regard, Francis points to four areas – energy efficiency, renewable resources, the elimination of fossil fuels and the promotion of a way of life that would be less dependent on fossil fuels.

Please, let’s go forward, not back – the Pope urges world leaders. May 2024 be a turning point! He reminds that exactly 800 years ago, that is, in 1224, Francis of Assisi composed the “Song of Praise to Creation”. “I, too, who bear the name of Francis”, he says, “appeal to you with a fervent request: let’s put aside differences and join forces!” And with God’s help, let us dispel the darkness of war and environmental destruction, and transform our common future into a dawn of light.”

2023-12-02 14:45:16
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