Pope Francis: World’s Response to Climate Change Should Be Like a World War

Pope Francis said on Tuesday that the wounds inflicted on humanity by COVID-19 on one hand and climate change on the other are comparable to a world war and should be addressed in the same manner.

The leader of Catholics worldwide, in his message to the 26th session of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26), which was read by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican’s Foreign Minister, also emphasized that wealthy countries have a longstanding environmental debt to poorer countries due to their improper use of developing nations’ natural resources.

He further called for collective and farsighted action to overcome the climate crisis, similar to what occurred after World War II with solidarity among nations and assistance to weaker countries.

Pope Francis stated that countries with greater capacity should take the lead in decarbonization and freeing their economic systems from greenhouse gases.

The leader of Catholics worldwide, who pays special attention to environmental protection, had previously expressed hope that he could participate in the United Nations Climate Conference, but the Vatican announced last month that Parolin would attend the conference on his behalf.

Source: Radio Farda