Pope Francis To Drive Climate Change Agenda At UN’s COP28 Summit In Dubai

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is set to travel to Dubai – United Arabs Emirates to attend The UN’s COP28 Climate Change Summit. His attendance would mark the first instance a sitting Pope attending such a meeting.

While issuing a statement, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, confirmed that the Pope will be attending the conference, which is scheduled for 30 November to 12 December. 

While in Dubai, the Pope is expected to drive home his recent assertions on climate change effects.  

“Our responses have not been adequate,” wrote Francis in Laudate Deum, published Oct. 4. 

As a result, “The impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many. … We will feel its effects in … healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migrations,” warns Pope Francis. 

“We are still in time to stop it,” said Francis in the interview. 

“Our future is at stake, the future of our children and our grandchildren. A bit of responsibility is needed,” noted the Pope while addressing global warming issue. 

Pope Francis pulled no punches in his current papal proclamation, calling out world leaders whom he accuses of laxity in addressing climate change factor. He contends that for decades, world leaders have failed to protect the planet and its most vulnerable people. He has further spurred the world’s most powerful to take decisive action on climate change.

In a major document on Oct. 4, titled Laudate Deum Francis appealed to climate change deniers alongside foot-dragging world leaders to have a change of heart, noting that they cannot gloss over human causes or deride science while the planet “may be nearing the breaking point.”

“To the powerful, I can only repeat this question: ‘What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to power, only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do?” posed the Pope. 

Laudate Deum was brought about by current extreme weather conditions and highlighted  the challenges befalling COP28 numerous times.

Failure in Dubai, “will be a great disappointment and jeopardize whatever good has been achieved thus far,” said the Pope in the document. 

The 86-year old Pope, who currently uses a cane as well as a wheelchair because of a knee condition, has made environmental conservation and protection a cornerstone of his papacy. In spite of endless challenges with mobility, the Pope has maintained a full itinerary and he recently met with Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber – the COP28 President. 

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager