Pope Francis’ message to COP26

Pope Francis met with President Biden, President Moon of Korea and Prime Minister Modi from India last week, and in all of the conversations, one subject came up: Climate change.

Many of the world leaders who were in Rome for the G20 summit of the world’s largest economies have now continued on to Glasgow, Scotland for the UN’s climate summit, COP26, which runs through Nov. 12.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell unpack Pope Francis’ message to the leaders at COP26 and how the pope understands his role in the climate movement.

Then, Colleen and Gerry turn their sights to the U.S. church. Two recent studies paint the image of a church hierarchy that is disconnected from pew-sitters: A 2020 Princeton analysis showed how “Laudato Si” helped convince American Catholics that climate change is an important issue that carries a moral imperative, and 2021 Creighton analysis revealed that “Laudato Si” was largely ignored by American bishops.

Links from the show:

Pope Francis’ COP26 message: ‘There is no time to waste’ on climate change

Pope Francis on BBC Radio: We need ‘a genuine moment of conversion’ on climate change

Meet the Catholic map lady who wants to help Pope Francis fight climate change—if the Vatican will let her.

Podcast: How ‘Laudato Si’’ changed U.S. Catholics’ minds on climate change

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