The Vatican secretary read Francis’ speech at COP28
This Saturday (2) Pope Francis once again called for the creation of a fund with money intended for armaments, with the aim of financing the fight against world hunger and the climate crisis.
The appeal was launched in his speech at the 28th edition of the UN Conference on Climate Change, COP28, in Dubai, read by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Francis, who was unable to attend the summit due to an attack of bronchitis, said: “How much energy is humanity wasting in the many ongoing wars, such as in Israel and Palestine, in Ukraine and in many regions of the world.”
The religious explained that all these conflicts will not solve the problems, but will worsen them and he once again questioned “how many resources are wasted on weapons, which destroy human lives and ruin the common home”.
“I reiterate a proposal: with the money spent on weapons and other military expenditure, let’s create a global fund to finally eliminate hunger and carry out activities that promote the sustainable development of the poorest countries, fighting climate change,” he said.
The leader of the Catholic Church further explained that “climate change signals the need for political change” and defended that “let us leave the restrictions of particularism and nationalism”, as they are “models of the past”.
In the text, the Argentine asks to “embrace an alternative and common vision”, which allows an ecological conversion, because “there are no lasting changes without cultural changes”.
“It is the task of this generation to listen to people, young people and children to lay the foundations of a new multilateralism. Why not start from the common home?”, he asked.
In this, the Pontiff assures “the commitment and support of the Catholic Church, active above all in education and raising awareness of common participation, as well as in the promotion of lifestyles, because the responsibility belongs to everyone and everyone is fundamental”.
According to Francisco, the “way out” of the climate crisis is “the one you are following these days: the path of union, of multilateralism”.
“It is worrying in this sense that global warming is accompanied by a general cooling of multilateralism and a growing distrust in the international community. It is essential to rebuild trust, the foundation of multilateralism”, he adds, underlining that “this applies both to care for creation and peace: these are the most urgent issues and they are interconnected.”
Jorge Bergoglio assured that «a change of pace is fundamental which is not a partial modification of the path, but a new way of proceeding together».
According to him, “if the Paris Agreement marked ‘a new beginning’ in the fight against climate change, which began in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, we must now ‘relaunch the path’.
“Let this COP be a turning point: it demonstrates a clear and tangible political will, which leads to a decisive acceleration of the ecological transition, through forms that have three characteristics: they are efficient, binding and easily controllable”, he said.
Finally, the Holy Father asked that everyone find fulfillment in four areas: “energy efficiency; renewables; elimination of fossil fuels; education in lifestyles less dependent on the latter”.
“Please, let’s move forward, let’s not go back. It’s about not delaying any longer, about achieving, not just hoping for, the good of your children, your citizens, your countries, our world. History will thank you. 2024 marks the turning point”, he concluded, inviting us to leave divisions and join forces. “With God’s help, we will emerge from the night of wars and environmental devastation to transform our common future into a dawn of light.” .
Source: Terra
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