'The pope is hard to ignore.' Can Francis 'set the tone' for climate talks this year?

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November 17, 2023

Pope Francis meets with leaders of the Laudato Si’ Movement in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Nov. 6. From left to right: Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Jesuit Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj; Tomás Insua; and Lorna Gold. (CNS/Vatican Media)

For years, Catholic and other religious actors have taken part in the annual United Nations climate change conference, trying to press for policies and actions to rapidly ramp down the use of fossil fuels and protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of rising global temperatures.

While representatives from the Vatican have attended, and popes have sent messages in the past, no pope has taken part in a global climate summit in person.

Until now.

When he arrives next month in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for COP28, Pope Franics will become the first pontiff to appear at the climate conference since their beginning nearly 30 years ago. Beyond the moment's historical significance, many have speculated what difference his presence might make in negotiations that face serious questions as time runs short for nations to meet the goals they set in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe spoke with officials within and outside the church about their expectations for what Francis might say and how he could influence the process of international climate negotiations. Here's a sample of what they said:

"The pope is hard to ignore, and the fact he'll speak at the start of the summit will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the negotiations," said Lorna Gold, board president of the Laudato Si' Movement.

"The church is not just there to pray. No, the church is there to make sure that society is a livable place for all creatures — humans and nature," said Sr. Maamalifar Poreku, co-executive secretary for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the International Union of Superiors General.

"In the absence of the Holy Father announcing a major Vatican contribution to our collective climate change response, his appearance in Dubai could be viewed and used by many parties as purely ornamental. At worst, certain parties could use his attendance to distract from and cover up glaring deficiencies in the negotiations," said Griffin Thompson, a former climate negotiator for the United States under the Obama administration and an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago.

"[The pope] needs to be the voice of the voiceless. He needs to be the voice of those at the peripheries. He needs to bring the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor to COP," said Lindlyn Moma, director of advocacy for Laudato Si' Movement.

Find all of EarthBeat's COP28 coverage in the "COP28 Dubai" feature series.

What else is new on EarthBeat:

Report: French oil company pipeline disturbs 2,000-plus African gravesites

by Brian Roewe

Environmental groups say the East African Crude Oil Pipeline undermines goals to combat climate change and threatens to ruin ecosystems and displace communities. A new report alleges the threat also extends to the dead.

Vatican plans to gradually replace car fleet with electric vehicles in deal with VW

by Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press

The Vatican signed an agreement with German carmaker Volkswagen AG to replace its auto fleet with electric vehicles as part of the Vatican's efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.

As floods strike eastern Africa, church leaders hope for concrete COP28 climate actions

by Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News

Ahead of COP28 Catholic leaders in Africa called for decisive action against climate change, as churches and agencies moved to aid people affected by floods.

Sisters in Kenya provide assistance as floods displace thousands

by Doreen Ajiambo

Sisters step up to provide assistance for the thousands who have been displaced after torrential rain, which experts say is related to climate change, flood northern Kenya.

What's happening in other climate news:

How does climate change threaten where you live? A region-by-region guide. — Grist staff for Grist

U.S. and China Agree to Displace Fossil Fuels by Ramping Up Renewables — for The New York Times

UNICEF: Millions of children globally face water scarcity due to climate change — Sr. Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA for Vatican News

Countries meet in Kenya to thrash out global plastic pollution treaty — Karen McVeigh for The Guardian

Millions of Indians set a world record celebrating Diwali as worries about air pollution rise — Biswajeet Banerjee for The Associated Press

Final Beat:

The U.S. Catholic bishops decided on Nov. 15 at their general assembly in Baltimore to continue prioritizing anti-abortion advocacy over other issues such as climate change, gun violence, racism and health care inequities, reported NCR staff reporter Brian Fraga.

When asked about the decision not to highlight climate change as a high priority issue, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori said abortion was a more imminent threat to vulnerable human life.

Lori is vice president of the bishops' conference, and led a task force of bishops' conference committees in drafting a new introductory letter and bulletin inserts to accompany "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," a document with political guidance for Catholic voters.

"Ecological concerns are hugely important, and must be addressed and we take utterly seriously both [documents] from Pope Francis on the subject and strive to implement them in our diocese, but we recognize that the effects of this are indirect rather than direct," Lori said.

Thanks for reading EarthBeat!

Stephanie Clary
Environment Editor
National Catholic Reporter
sclary@ncronline.org
Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr
Twitter/X: @scherp01