Pope Leo XIV Issues Stark Warning to World Leaders: “God’s Creation is Crying Out in Floods, Droughts, Storms and Relentless Heat”
- Climate change is threatening the planet, with one in three people living in “great vulnerability” due to extreme weather events
- Pope Leo XIV urges world leaders to take “concrete actions” to stop climate change, warning that “we are failing in our response”
- Vulnerable nations are pressing for more ambition at the UN climate talks, as the world edges closer to surpassing the 1.5°C warming limit set in the Paris Agreement
In a powerful video message, Pope Leo XIV has called on world leaders to take immediate action to address the climate crisis, warning that “God’s creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat”. The Pope’s urgent appeal comes as the UN climate talks enter their second week, with high-level ministers from around the world gathering in Belem, Brazil to negotiate a response to the growing threat of global warming.
Leo’s message was played to a gathering of religious leaders, and was met with a standing ovation. The Pope’s words were seen as a significant intervention in the climate debate, with many hailing him as a moral leader on the issue. “This message does stake Leo out as a voice for the rest of the world, especially the Southern Hemisphere where climate change is wreaking havoc with the vulnerable in Asia, Africa and Latin America,” said David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University.
The Pope’s warning comes as scientists sound the alarm over the devastating consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures are leading to more frequent and deadly extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and powerful hurricanes. The Pope’s message was seen as a call to action, urging world leaders to put aside their differences and work together to address the crisis. “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He entrusted to us,” Leo said.
Leo’s intervention has been welcomed by climate activists, who see him as a powerful ally in the fight against global warming. “His voice cuts through the noise of negotiations and calls leaders back to what truly matters: our shared humanity and the urgent duty to act with courage, compassion, and justice,” said Lorna Gold, executive director of the Laudato Si’ Movement.
The UN climate talks are set to continue this week, with world leaders facing a critical decision on whether to increase their ambition to tackle the climate crisis. The Pope’s message has added to the pressure on leaders to act, and has been seen as a major boost to the climate movement. As the world edges closer to surpassing the 1.5°C warming limit set in the Paris Agreement, the Pope’s words have been seen as a stark warning of the consequences of inaction.