In a brief speech at the climate summit on Thursday (22), Pope Francis said he sees climate change and the need to preserve the environment as one of the greatest challenges for humanity in the period. post-pandemic of Covid-19.
At the virtual meeting chaired by US President Joe Biden, the pontiff praised the initiative of world leaders to seek solutions. “I greet you, you who are united in this initiative which I find happy. An initiative which puts us on the same path, all of humanity through its leaders,” said Francisco. “And it takes on a much greater importance because it’s a challenge we have in the post-pandemic.”
The Pope also said Thursday’s meeting helped align the guidelines for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, from 1 to November 12.
“[Esta reunião] puts us on the road to meet in Glasgow, to take control of nature, a gift that we have received and that we must heal, protect and perpetuate, ”said the head of the Catholic Church, during his participation in the second session of the summit, on investments for climate solutions.
Francisco stressed that the crisis caused by the pandemic is not yet over and that it will leave its mark. “We know that a crisis is not the same thing: either we do better or we do worse. And our concern is to see the environment as clean, pure and preserved. We have to take care of nature so that it takes care of us ”.