Pope Francis urges prayer, says COP26 success vital to tackle ‘one of great moral issues’ of our time

Letter released by Vatican says time is running out to ‘preserve God’s creation’
He urges conference participants not to waste the occasion ‘lest we have to face judgement’

Catholic Church

Reuters

Published: 6:16pm, 11 Nov 2021

Why you can trust SCMP

Pope Francis has asked Scotland’s Catholics to pray for the success of the UN Climate Change COP26 conference in Glasgow because “time is running out” to save the planet.

In a letter released by the Vatican on Thursday, Francis said he regretted he could not attend the opening of the conference as he had originally hoped, but asked all to join in prayer for a fruitful outcome.

COP26 climate talks chair urges speed and compromise ‘for our children’

“This gathering (is) meant to address one of the great moral issues of our time: the preservation of God’s creation, given to us as a garden to be cultivated and as a common home for our human family,” he said.

He implored “wisdom and strength” on the participants so that they keep future generations in mind.

02:29

China and US unveil deal to cooperate on cutting emissions, phasing out coal and protecting forests

“Time is running out; this occasion must not be wasted, lest we have to face God’s judgement for our failure to be faithful stewards of the world he has entrusted to our care,” he said.

In a formal message to the conference read on his behalf on November 2, Francis said the twin wounds inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change were comparable to those caused by a global conflict and should be confronted in the same way.

Deciphering China’s relationship with coal as it aims for carbon neutrality

The 84-year-old pope, who has made protection of the environment a cornerstone of his pontificate, had said several times that he hoped to attend COP26, but the Vatican announced last month that Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin would head its delegation.

Post