In a powerful address that resonated across the globe, Pope Leo XIV has openly criticized world leaders for their lack of political will in tackling the escalating climate crisis. The American pontiff delivered his urgent message to religious dignitaries gathered on the sidelines of the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
A Cry for Concrete Climate Action
The Vatican released the text of the Pope's speech, where he described the Amazon region as "a living symbol of creation with an urgent need for care." He painted a stark picture of a planet in distress, stating, "Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat."
Highlighting the human cost, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that one in three people globally live in great vulnerability due to these changes. "To them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity," he declared, pointing a finger directly at the failure of leadership. "What is failing is the political will of some."
Championing the Paris Agreement
Amidst the final stretch of tense UN climate negotiations, the Pope issued a critical warning. "There is still time to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5C, but the window is closing," he said, championing the need for "concrete actions."
He staunchly defended the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, the historic accord from which US President Donald Trump has said he will withdraw the United States for a second time. Pope Leo XIV called the agreement the "strongest tool for protecting people and the planet," and decried the lack of effort by some unnamed leaders.
"True leadership means service and support on a scale that will truly make a difference," he asserted, urging for firmer climate action to build "stronger and fairer economic systems." He concluded with a rallying cry: "Let us send a clear global signal together: nations standing in unwavering solidarity behind the Paris Agreement and climate cooperation."
A Continued Papal Focus on Ecology
This is not the first time the Chicago-born Pope has taken a strong stance on environmental issues. Since his election in May 2025, the pontiff, who spent about 20 years as a missionary in Peru, has consistently pressured governments to act on climate change.
Last month, during a climate conference near Rome, he called for an "ecological conversion" to aid vulnerable communities. His advocacy continues the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose landmark climate manifesto "Laudato Si'" marked its 10-year anniversary in October.
As the COP30 summit, conducted without the presence of the US government, enters its final five days, the Pope's words were welcomed by UN climate chief Simon Stiell. Stiell praised the "strong message" from Pope Leo XIV, saying his words "urge us to continue to choose hope and action."
