Pope Francis Calls for Breakthrough at COP28

Pope Francis, who was unable to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), urged world leaders on Saturday to achieve a "breakthrough" to combat global warming, describing the damage inflicted on the environment as "an offense to the Lord." In a message read by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin due to the Pope's health issues, he stated, "I am with you because the destruction of the environment is an offense to the Lord." The Pope directly appealed to the delegations present at COP28, saying, "It's essential to achieve a breakthrough that is not just a partial change in course, but a new way for us to progress together." He expressed hope that "this climate summit would serve as a turning point and demonstrate clear and genuine political will that could lead to a decisive acceleration in environmental transformation." To achieve this, he emphasized the need to "move firmly towards increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels, and changing lavish lifestyles." He continued, "The gap between the wealthy few and the large numbers of the poor has never been worse." Pope Francis called for "debt relief for poorer countries, as they bear less responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions, yet suffer more than developed nations."