Overview
- Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message to Global South bishops gathered in Belém, calling creation’s floods, droughts, storms and heat a cry for urgent, concrete measures.
- He said one in three people live in great vulnerability to climate impacts and cautioned that ignoring them denies shared humanity.
- Backing the Paris Agreement as the strongest tool to protect people and the planet, he argued that shortfalls stem from the political will of some leaders rather than the pact itself.
- His remarks came as COP30 entered its second week with ministers arriving and negotiations still divided over ambition, finance, trade measures and a possible fossil-fuel phaseout roadmap.
- U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell welcomed the appeal, Catholic climate groups hailed its moral force, and coverage noted the United States is skipping the talks as President Donald Trump disparages climate action.