Pope says “It is not the Paris Agreement that is failing, but the political will of some"

In a video message sent to Church representatives gathered in Belem for a meeting on the sidelines of COP30 - the annual UN conference on the fight against global warming - the pontiff harshly rebuked world leaders: 'Be true leaders. Strong climate actions and policies are an investment in a more just and stable world.‘

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - ’It is not the Agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response. What is failing is the political will of some," stated Pope Leo XIV clearly dennouncing the insufficient steps taken to combat climate change in a video message released yesterday.

The video was sent to delegates from the Churches of the global South gathered at the Amazon Museum in Belém for an event promoted by the Brazilian Church on the sidelines of COP30 - the UN climate conference - which also saw the presence of numerous voices from Catholic communities in Asia.

‘You have chosen hope and action over despair,’ the Pope told them, ‘building a global community that works together. This has led to progress, but not enough. Hope and determination must be renewed, not only in words and aspirations, but also in concrete actions.’

‘Creation cries out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat,’ the pontiff added. "One in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes. For them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore them is to deny our common humanity. There is still time to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5°C, but the window is closing. As stewards of God's creation, we are called to act quickly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He has entrusted to us."

Leo XIV defended the Paris Agreement, which ‘has produced concrete progress and remains our strongest tool for protecting people and the planet.’ For this reason, according to the Pope, politics must rediscover ‘true leadership,’ which "means service and support on a scale that truly makes a difference. Stronger climate action, he explains, will create stronger and fairer economic systems. Strong climate action and policies are an investment in a more just and stable world.

‘Let us walk alongside scientists, leaders and pastors of every nation, and I believe,’ Pope Leo invites us, "that we are guardians of creation, not rivals seeking its spoils. Let us send a clear global signal together: nations standing in unwavering solidarity in support of the Paris Agreement and climate cooperation. May this Amazon Museum,‘ he concluded, ’be remembered as the place where humanity chose cooperation over division and denial."