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Mon, November 17, 2025
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Pope Francis Urges Global Political Action to Combat Climate Change
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Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 19:54 GMT by The Straits Times- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Pope Francis Demands Urgent Political Action on Climate Change – A Call That Echoes Around the World
In a powerful speech delivered at the Vatican on Tuesday, Pope Francis struck a resonant tone, chastising world leaders for what he described as an “appalling lack of political will” to confront climate change. The apostolic leader, known for his “green agenda,” has repeatedly warned that the planet’s warming threatens humanity’s most vulnerable, and the latest address—published by The Straits Times—adds another weighty chapter to his long‑standing advocacy for ecological stewardship.
The Heart of the Pope’s Message
At the center of the Pope’s critique is the observation that, despite an unprecedented global consensus on the urgency of action, governments have been slow to adopt policies that would curb greenhouse‑gas emissions. He pointed to the Paris Agreement—an international treaty that set a target of limiting warming to well below 2 °C—as “a good start” but called it “incomplete” because it has failed to translate ambition into concrete, enforceable measures.
The Pope’s comments were framed around his 2015 encyclical Laudato si’, which urges humanity to care for the planet as a shared heritage. He reminded his audience that climate change is “the greatest threat to life itself” and that the world’s “moral responsibility” lies squarely on the shoulders of political leaders. “We are on the brink of a catastrophe that will affect the poorest and most vulnerable,” the Pope said, drawing a stark connection between environmental degradation and social injustice.
A Moral Argument Rooted in Faith
Pope Francis’s appeal is more than scientific. It is deeply theological. In his speech, he spoke of the “interdependence of all creation” and the Church’s duty to act as a “guardian of the environment.” He cited the Church’s 2020 Letter on Climate Change—issued by the Pontifical Council for the Environment—as a moral call to action, urging Catholics worldwide to “pray for a greener world” while also “advocating for policies that protect the planet.”
The Pope’s remarks echo the themes of the 2018 Fathers of the Church encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, which encouraged Catholic leaders to adopt a “holistic vision” of the world that integrates ecological concerns with human dignity. In his address, the Pope repeatedly highlighted the Church’s moral authority, stressing that faith must guide politics: “Faith cannot be separate from politics, especially when the politics of climate are failing.”
Political Leaders in the Spotlight
In the same speech, the Pope singled out a handful of nations and leaders, calling out the United States for its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and pointing to the lack of leadership in the European Union, despite its “green deal” commitments. He noted that many world leaders still view climate action as an economic burden, rather than a moral imperative. “We must treat the environment as a public good—just like water, air, and the well‑being of children,” the Pope said.
The Straits Times article highlighted that Pope Francis had previously urged the UN General Assembly to treat climate change as a “human rights issue” during his speech at the 2023 U.N. Climate Summit in New York. That address, cited in the article, drew global attention and set the tone for the Vatican’s broader environmental advocacy. The Pope’s criticism of the political establishment is a continuation of his long‑standing campaign for “green capitalism” and the integration of ecological concerns into national budgets.
The Church’s Own Initiatives
Beyond criticism, Pope Francis has also highlighted concrete steps taken by the Church to lead by example. The Vatican’s own Climate Action Plan—announced in 2021—includes goals to reduce the papal household’s carbon footprint by 50% and to invest in renewable energy. The Church has also launched the “Vatican Green Initiative,” a program to plant trees across Italy and Brazil, and it has partnered with the United Nations’ Programme on Biodiversity and Conservation to support the protection of forests in the Amazon.
The article referenced a recent Vatican Courier piece in which the Pope praised the Vatican’s partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to promote “resilience against climate‑related disasters.” He added that the Church’s work is “not only a spiritual duty but a practical one,” urging Catholics to support “local and global projects that mitigate climate impacts.”
Calls to the Global Community
Pope Francis’s address ended with an impassioned plea for all—faithful and secular—to take responsibility. He called for a “global movement of solidarity” to ensure that the climate crisis does not become a “political fault line” that fractures societies. “Let us not be a generation that turned its back on its future,” he warned. The Pope also urged the wealthy nations to increase their climate finance contributions, pointing to the “Climate Finance Pact” that he believes should be upheld by all. He specifically asked for a doubling of the $100 billion annual climate‑finance target for developing countries.
The article concludes with an observation that the Pope’s remarks are resonant in Southeast Asia, where rising sea levels and extreme weather events are already taking a toll. It notes that the Straits Times interviewed several local environmental NGOs, who echoed the Pope’s sentiment: “We need decisive political action that matches the urgency of the science,” said one activist. “The moral imperative is clear—climate justice is human justice.”
Key Takeaways
- Political Will is Insufficient: Pope Francis criticizes the gap between global agreements and real, enforceable policy changes.
- Moral Imperative: The Pope frames climate action as a faith-based responsibility, integrating theology with ecological science.
- Church’s Leadership: The Vatican’s own sustainability measures are highlighted as both symbolic and practical examples of action.
- Call for Global Solidarity: The Pope urges all nations, especially the wealthier ones, to step up financial and policy commitments.
Pope Francis’s speech—captured in detail by The Straits Times—is a clarion call that transcends borders, faith, and politics. In an era where the climate crisis threatens the fabric of societies worldwide, the Pope’s words underscore that the time for political will and moral leadership has long passed. The future of humanity—and of the planet—hinges on the decisive actions that nations, institutions, and individuals take in response to this urgent call.
Read the Full The Straits Times Article at:
[ https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-decries-lack-of-political-will-on-climate-change ]
