Pope Leo: "Creation is crying out"
In video message to Catholic activists at COP30, Pope Leo decries lack of "political will" to address climate change.
Posted on 11/18/2025 15:38 PM ()
The head of the Holy See’s delegation to COP30 addresses environment ministers from around the world, stressing the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation and not lose sight of “the human face of the climate crisis.”
Posted on 11/18/2025 14:51 PM ()
Answering questions from journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV decries recent measures against migrants in the United States, and he calls for treating people “with humanity and dignity.” He also denounces the killings of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria and expresses hope for a ceasefire and dialogue in Ukraine, where "people are dying every day."
Posted on 11/18/2025 09:30 AM (USCCB News Releases)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While "creation is crying out" and millions of people suffer the effects of climate change and pollution, politicians are failing to act, Pope Leo XIV said.
As the U.N. Climate Conference, COP30, began its final week of meetings Nov. 17, the pope sent a video message to Christian representatives and activists from the global south who were holding a side event to the conference in Belem, Brazil.
The Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 at COP21 "has driven real progress and remains our strongest tool for protecting people and the planet," Pope Leo said in the video.
"But we must be honest: it is not the agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response," he said. "What is failing is the political will of some."
While Pope Leo did not specify which nations were at fault, the U.S. government was not represented at COP30 because U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the Paris Agreement.
"True leadership means service, and support at a scale that will truly make a difference," the pope said. "Stronger climate actions will create stronger and fairer economic systems. Strong climate actions and policies -- both are an investment in a more just and stable world."
"Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat," Pope Leo said.
"One in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes," he added. "To them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity."
As government representatives from most of the world's countries -- more than 190 nations registered delegations -- struggled to finalize agreements on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, Pope Leo told the Christian activists he believed "there is still time to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius, but the window is closing."
"As stewards of God's creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift he entrusted to us," the pope said.
In safeguarding creation as a gift of God, he said, "we walk alongside scientists, leaders and pastors of every nation and creed."
"We are guardians of creation, not rivals for its spoils," the pope said. "Let us send a clear global signal together: nations standing in unwavering solidarity behind the Paris Agreement and behind climate cooperation."
Despite the challenges, Pope Leo told the activists, "you chose hope and action over despair, building a global community that works together."
The efforts have made a difference, he said, "but not enough. Hope and determination must be renewed, not only in words and aspirations, but also in concrete actions."
Posted on 11/18/2025 09:27 AM ()
Syria launches its first public trial over deadly clashes in March, during which pro-government fighters killed hundreds of members of the Alawite minority in their coastal homeland. The case is widely seen as a test of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s promise of accountability.
Posted on 11/18/2025 08:00 AM ()
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Posted on 11/18/2025 07:00 AM (Catholic Online > Saint of the Day)
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Posted on 11/18/2025 03:30 AM ()
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit this week to the Italian hill town of Assisi to close the 81st General Assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI), the Bishops' leader, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, addresses his fellow Bishops with a call to promote peace in the war-torn world and to counter exclusion of the marginalised.
Posted on 11/17/2025 16:40 PM ()
Pope Leo XIV sends a videomessage to the bishops and cardinals of the Global South participating in COP30 in Brazil, urging cooperation and stressing that it is not too late if we choose deeds over words.