EarthBeat Weekly: Pope Leo calls for courageous action as UN climate summit opens

Pope Leo XIV calls for courageous action as UN climate summit opens EarthBeat Weekly Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change November 7, 2025   More than 140 heads of state and ministers took part in the two-day leaders summit preceding the COP30 United Nations climate change conference, in Belem, Brazil. (COP30/Rafa Neddermeyer) Upwards of 140 heads of state and high-level ministers gathered this week at the edge of the Amazon rainforest as the United Nations climate change conference known as COP30 got under way in Brazil. Though not present in body, Pope Leo XIV through his words still took part in the world leaders summit that opened the 30th round of U.N.-led climate negotiations. As I reported today for NCR's EarthBeat, the pope called on the climate conference to "courageously accelerate" global action to limit suffering arising from rising global temperatures. As the talks progress over the next two weeks, the pope reminded delegates not to lose sight of "the human face of the climate crisis." "It is vital to turn words and reflections into choices and actions based on responsibility, justice and equity to achieve lasting peace by caring for creation and our neighbors," Leo wrote in a Nov. 7 message read at the summit by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Holy See.  "This Conference should become a sign of hope," Leo added.  Many Catholics and other members of civil society heading to Belém are hoping the summit in the Amazon can jumpstart global action on climate change. A decade after the historic adoption of the Paris Agreement — along with 10 years after Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home" — countries have made meager advances toward meeting its main goal of limiting average temperature rise to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally to 1.5 C. A U.N. report issued ahead of COP30 showed that if fully implemented, those plans would yield temperature rise between 2.3 C and 2.8 C — a decline from prior trajectories but still well off pace from 1.5 C. Leo in his message acknowledged limited progress countries have made in achieving the Paris Agreement's goals, saying the path "remains long and complex." He lamented a disregard for the common good in current politics that has been defined by "collective selfishness, disregard for others and short-sightedness." "Against this backdrop, State Parties are urged to courageously accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change," the pope said. Read more: Pope calls for courage, consensus as COP30 climate summit opens in Brazil What else is new on EarthBeat:   In act of reparation, Franciscan sisters return land to Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin by Dan Stockman They sold it for about 1% of its appraised value of $2.6 million value, citing their role in colonialism and residential boarding schools. Read more here »   'We are asking the world to act': African women on frontlines of climate change demand justice at COP30 by Doreen Ajiambo As leaders prepare to meet in Belém, Brazil, women living the climate emergency in Kenya and across Africa are demanding global action, gender justice and investment in local adaptation. Read more here »   Ahead of COP30, a Kenyan village turns to bamboo and faith to fight climate change by Doreen Ajiambo As Lake Victoria's rising waters displace families, Catholic leaders and villagers plant bamboo to restore their land and send a message to world leaders meeting in Brazil.  Read more here »   Bishops, humanitarian leader urge bold, courageous action at UN climate conference by Gina Christian, OSV News Ahead of the United Nations' annual climate conference, two U.S. Catholic bishops and the leader of a top Catholic aid agency are calling for urgent, long-term action to safeguard both creation and humanity. Read more here »   What's happening in other climate news: As world leaders enter climate talks, people in poverty have the most at stake —Melina Walling And Eléonore Hughes for the Associated Press Still a chance to return to 1.5C climate goal, researchers say —Fiona Harvey for the Guardian World leaders punch back at US climate denial ahead of Brazil's COP30 negotiations —Valerie Volcovici, Lisandra Paraguassu and William James for Reuters The U.S. is skipping this year's climate summit. For many, that's OK. —Lisa Friedman for The New York Times In a boost for offshore wind, New Jersey elects Mikie Sherrill —Clare Fieseler for Canary Media Mussels reveal growing microplastic pollution in Greece's prized seas —Stelios Misinas for Reuters After decades of protections, green sea turtles have been saved from the brink of extinction—for now —Teresa Tomassoni for Inside Climate News CBS News just gutted its climate team —Sammy Roth for Climate Colored Goggles Final Beat: While the world leaders summit began this week, COP30 officially opens on Monday (Nov. 10) and is scheduled to continue through Nov. 21. (With history as a guide, expect negotiations to extend into an extra day or two.) Here at NCR's EarthBeat, you can continue to follow exclusive, continuing coverage on the Catholic angle at the U.N. climate conference. Our reporting will be led by Eduardo Campos Lima, a Brazil-based reporter who will be on the ground in Belém. Watch for his first story next week on the unprecedented Catholic mobilization in Brazil and Latin America as they look to bring a prophetic voice and moral push the proceedings. Watch for additional reports from Doreen Ajiambo, Africa/Middle East correspondent for Global Sisters Report, and I'll be following and filing developments in the negotiations as well. Until next week, thanks for reading EarthBeat.   Brian Roewe Environment Correspondent National Catholic Reporter broewe@ncronline.org     Featured Advertisers   Looking to Hire? Offering Retreats? Selling Books? Place an Ad in NCR's Online Classified Section for Only $75 per Month!   Advertisement