Pope Leo XIV to Lead UN COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil
Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has continued Pope Francis's advocacy for climate action, with a focus on the upcoming UN COP30 climate summit in Brazil. The three-day event, marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis's 'Laudato Si' climate manifesto, aims to harness 'people power' and step up non-state actor efforts to complement government action on climate change.
Pope Leo, who served as a missionary in Peru, has taken up the mantle of climate advocacy from Pope Francis. Despite no public evidence of his specific support for climate-affected communities during his time in Peru, he has consistently advocated for decisive action against climate change since becoming pope.
The UN COP30 climate summit will focus on how to halve emissions by the end of the decade. Participants will make a new pledge in memory of Pope Francis to fulfill his vision for climate action. The conference seeks to harness the power of non-state actors, such as businesses, cities, and faith communities, to drive climate action and complement government efforts.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a prominent climate advocate, has emphasized the importance of the Catholic Church's involvement in climate change efforts. Pope Francis's 'Laudato Si' encyclical, released in 2015, influenced the Paris climate accords, and Pope Leo has continued this legacy by declaring protecting the environment a matter of social, economic, and human justice.
The 'Raising Hope for Climate Justice' conference, held in Brazil, will discuss the progress made and urgent steps needed for climate action. With Pope Leo's continued advocacy and the UN COP30 summit's focus on halving emissions, the global community is poised to take significant strides in combating climate change.
