Pope Francis will be remembered for his vocal stance in the fight against climate change and for putting the environment at the heart of his papacy. He dedicated two papal letters to the dangers of global warming, especially its impact on the poor.

Berlin

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Pope Francis has been commemorated for his firm stance on climate change and prioritizing environmental issues during his tenure. His papacy notably centered on raising awareness about the impact of global warming, especially on the disadvantaged, underscoring the intersection of social justice and environmental sustainability. The Pope penned two significant papal letters addressing climate change, making a moral appeal to world leaders ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement.

During a visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis experienced extreme weather firsthand, emphasizing the urgency of climate action. In 2015, he released his first encyclical, "Laudato Si," which highlighted the moral imperative to combat global warming. This document became a pivotal reference for climate discussions, inspiring climate action initiatives worldwide. In Germany, churches rallied climate activists, advocating change, and providing support to those facing legal challenges for their advocacy.

The Pope's calls for action resonated with youth movements, as he openly supported non-violent climate protests and criticized efforts to silence activists. In 2023, climate activist Luisa Neubauer joined Pope Francis and other activists at the Vatican to discuss climate justice. Pope Francis's willingness to engage in dialogue with climate advocates symbolized his ongoing dedication to the cause.

In his 2023 encyclical, "Laudato Dio," Pope Francis expressed concern about the inadequate global response to climate change, urging continued action to prevent environmental collapse. His commitment to environmental issues leaves a lasting legacy and sets a benchmark for future religious and global leaders in the fight against climate change.



Pope Francis remembered for prioritizing climate change

Wearing a simple plastic raincoat whilst braving a storm in the Philippines, Pope Francis experienced one of the country's increasingly extreme weather events firsthand. In the same year, 2015, he wrote his first encyclical called Laudato Si, or Praise Be to You, the first line in a poem by his namesake Saint Francis of Assisi. The book is regarded as a moral push ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement, in which 196 countries pledge to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. May you all, I join you too in a call to all the leaders of the world, to act with courage, to act with justice and to always tell people the truth, so that people know how to protect themselves from the destruction of the planet. Inspired by the Pope, churches in Germany have been advocating for climate action, even opening their doors for activists facing arrest and prosecution. What stands out for me is the Pope's courageous call to change the world, focusing on the unbreakable bond between social justice and sustainability. We didn't hear that before from a Pope. Pope Francis criticized efforts to silence climate activists, including here in Germany, where some have been charged with being part of a criminal organization for blocking airports. He supported young people's non-violent demands for change, saying they were filling a space left empty by society as a whole. Luisa Neubauer is one of Germany's most well-known climate activists. She met the Pope in 2023. Pope Francis invited me and a number of other climate activists to the Vatican to talk about climate justice, but also to raise our voices for climate justice and the protection of climate activists. And to me, that is really something that will live on, even after Pope Francis himself is dead. In his second encyclical, Laudato Dio, published in 2023, Pope Francis was somber. Realizing that the world's response had been inadequate, he warned that our planet is collapsing and may be nearing breaking point. An alarming message coming from a high-profile champion for climate action, who shared his hope that his successor would continue his fight. Stab Fasten. Al Jazeera, Berlin.

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