Pope Francis Urges Elimination of Fossil Fuels at COP28 in Dubai

During the COP28 summit, Pope Francis issued a strong statement advocating the end of fossil fuels and lifestyle changes to combat climate change. Although the Pope was unable to attend in person due to illness, his message was read by Cardinal Parolin. Pope Francis emphasized the urgency for debt forgiveness among poorer nations affected by climate change. This statement marked a historic moment as the first time a Pope addressed the Conference of the Parties. The pontiff highlighted the need for significant political changes to address climate change and declared COP28 as a turning point. He stressed that the transition towards renewable energy and the elimination of fossil fuels, along with education on sustainable lifestyles, were essential. The summit witnessed momentum towards defining the future use of coal, oil, and gas. Sultan Al-Jaber, the president of COP28, acknowledged that phasing out these fuels was inevitable, despite his company's expansion plans. The Pope criticized attempts to blame ecological and climate crises on the poor and high birth rates. He called out countries with the highest carbon emissions, emphasizing their responsibility to resolve the ecological debt caused by excessive fossil fuel usage. The Pope's message coincided with the discussions on a global stocktake at COP28 and urged leaders not only for partial change but for a new way of collective progress and a culture that prioritizes life instead of death.