Cop26 leaders must offer hope to future generations, says Pope

The political leaders who meet at the upcoming Cop26 climate change summit must give “concrete hope” to future generations that they are taking action to effectively tackle climate change, Pope Francis said in a message released in Friday.

“It is essential that each of us be committed to this urgent change of direction,” Pope Francis said on BBC Radio.

“The political decision makers who will meet at Cop26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations.”

US president Joe Biden will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday, where they plan to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and poverty.

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The US president takes pride in his Catholic faith, using it as moral guidepost to shape many of his social and economic policies.

He wears a rosary and frequently attends Mass, yet his support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage has put him at odds with many US bishops, some of whom have suggested he should be denied Communion.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, in previewing the visit, said she expects a “warm and constructive dialogue” between the two leaders.

“There’s a great deal of agreement and overlap with the president and Pope Francis on a range of issues: poverty, combating the climate crisis, ending the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

“These are all hugely important, impactful issues that will be the centrepiece of what their discussion is when they meet.”

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the president and pontiff would meet privately, then hold talks with expanded delegations.

Mr Biden is visiting Rome and then Glasgow, Scotland, for back-to-back summits, first a gathering for leaders of the Group of 20 leading and developing nations and then a global climate conference. – Agencies