Together With Representatives Of Islam To Taoism, Pope Francis Calls For COP26 To Achieve Solutions To Save The Earth

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons/Xonn)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis along with other religious leaders made a joint appeal on Monday in connection with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) being held next month.

In his statement, Pope Francis and other religious leaders called for COP26 to offer concrete solutions, to save the planet from an "unprecedented ecological crisis".

Pope Francis and other religious leaders made a joint call on Monday for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) next month to offer concrete solutions to save the planet from an "unprecedented ecological crisis".

Yesterday's 'Faith and Science: Towards COP26' meeting brought together Christian leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as representatives from Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism.

"COP26 in Glasgow is an urgent call for an effective response to the unprecedented ecological crisis and value crisis we are experiencing today. And in this way offers real hope to future generations," Pope Francis said.

"We want to accompany him with our commitment and spiritual closeness," he continued in a speech he gave to the meeting attendees.

In his written speech, Francis said cultural and religious differences should be seen as a strength, not a weakness, in defending the environment.

"Each of us has his religious beliefs and spiritual traditions, but there are no cultural, political or social boundaries or barriers that prevent us from standing together," Pope Francis said.

The call, which described climate change as a "grave threat", was handed over to Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Britain's Alok Sharma, President of COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland.

"The religious leaders who came here today represent about 3/4 of the world's population. That is a significant percentage of the people around the world and that is why their voices are so important," Sharma said after the meeting organized by the Vatican, UK. and Italy.

Welby, the world's Anglican spiritual leader, called for a 'global financial architecture that repents of its past sins', including changes to tax laws to promote green activities.

"We have in the last 100 years declared war on creation. Our war on climate affects the poorest among us," Welby said.

The call urges all governments to adopt plans to help limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels and to achieve net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible.

Rich countries should take the lead in reducing their own emissions and in financing poor countries' emission reductions, he said.

"We appeal to the international community, gathered at COP26, to take swift, responsible and shared action to safeguard, restore and heal our injured humanity and the homes entrusted to our management," said the call, which followed online gatherings for several months. months among members of 40 or more religious leaders.

Several participants emphasized that no nation can walk alone.

"If one nation sinks, we all sink," said Rajwant Singh, a Sikh leader from the United States, who sang a poem for the participants.

To note, Pope Francis strongly supports the goal of the 2015 UN Paris agreement to reduce global warming. Meanwhile, the Scottish bishops said in July that Pope Francis planned to attend the opening of COP26, if health permits. A decision is expected in the next few days.