Pope Leo XIV Calls for Urgent Climate Action and Says God’s Creation is ‘Crying Out’

November 20, 2025

Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message to religious leaders at UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil, calling for immediate concrete action to address global warming and criticizing insufficient political will among nations. The Pope emphasized that one-third of humanity faces severe climate vulnerability, arguing that while the Paris Agreement framework remains sound, world leaders are failing in their implementation efforts. His intervention came as the conference entered its second week, with Global South nations sharing accounts of devastating climate impacts and expressing concern that Earth will likely exceed the 1.

Who is affected

One-third of the global population living in areas highly vulnerable to climate change
Global South nations experiencing extreme weather events and natural disasters
Vulnerable communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Religious leaders gathered at the Belem conference
Government ministers and negotiators attending the UN climate talks

What action is being taken

UN climate talks are ongoing in Belem, Brazil, with negotiations entering their second week
High-level ministers from governments worldwide are arriving to join negotiations
Global South leaders are delivering speeches and testimony about climate impacts
Vulnerable nations are pressing for increased ambition at the talks

Why it matters

This matters because one in three people globally face serious vulnerability to climate change impacts, making it an immediate rather than distant threat. The Pope's intervention carries significant moral weight as a voice for vulnerable populations who are experiencing devastating consequences from floods, droughts, storms, and extreme heat. His message highlights the critical gap between climate commitments and actual political action, particularly as the world approaches exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree warming target. The Pope's position as the first American pontiff adds particular significance given that the US, the world's second-largest polluter, is boycotting the conference.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint