Pope to bishops at COP30: We are guardians of creation, not rivals for its spoils
By Francesca Merlo - Belém, Brazil
COP30 has dedicated much of its discussion time to the global south, and the Catholic Church has been no exception, with meetings and symposiums in which Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean were all represented through their respective Cardinals.
Pope Leo, too, has demonstrated his closeness to the people of the Global South, sending a video message to all the bishops participating in COP.
On the 17th of November, as the first day of the second week drew to a close, Pope Leo, too was present in the Amazon, joining what he described as “the prophetic voice” of his brother Cardinals at COP30 who have been “telling the world with words and gestures that the Amazon region remains a living symbol of creation with an urgent need for care”.
Addressing the bishops gathered in the Museu das Amazônias, Museum of the Amazonias, Pope Leo said: “You chose hope and action over despair, building a global community that works together”. And while recognizing that progress has been made, he emphasized that it is “not enough” and that “hope and determination must be renewed, not only in words and aspirations, but also in concrete actions”.
“Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat", he said, noting that "one in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes". To them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity. The Pope stressed that while there is still time to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5°C, the window is closing. “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He entrusted to us”.
Pope Leo then went on to emphasize that the Paris Agreement, too, has made real progress, describing it as “our strongest tool for protecting people and the planet”. But, he added, we must be honest: “it is not the Agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response. What is failing is the political will of some. True leadership means service, and support at a scale that will make a difference. Stronger climate actions will create stronger and fairer economic systems. Strong climate actions and policies - both are an investment in a more just and stable world”.
Bringing his message to a close, the Pope recalled the work of the scientists, leaders and pastors of every nation and creed alongside whom we walk. We, he said, are guardians of creation, “not rivals for its spoils".
And with this in mind, the Pope asked all those present to send a clear global signal together, one of “unwavering solidarity behind the Paris Agreement and behind climate cooperation”.
Finally, Pope Leo said, “let this Amazonia Museum be remembered as the space where humanity chose cooperation over division and denial”.
Following the video message, the cardinals representing of the Global South who were present for the event presented a fishing net. The net is a replica of one given to Pope Francis during the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region, in 2019, which had been woven by several indigenous communities in the Amazon, as a sign of unity and peace.
