Francis has been vocal about climate issues in recent years

Pope Francis will attend the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai next month, marking the first time a pontiff has participated in the UN meeting. “I will go to Dubai. I think that I will leave on December 1 through the 3rd. I’ll spend three days there,” the pontiff told Italy’s Rai 1 television.

The 86-year-old has made the environment one of the main themes of his papacy since being elected pope by cardinals in 2013.

The pope is expected to drive home his recent appeal for action to curb global warming, warning that “We are still in time to stop it,”. “Our future is at stake, the future of our children and our grandchildren. A bit of responsibility is needed.”

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Francis has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection throughout his papacy. In a major document on climate change released last month, he appealed to deniers and foot-dragging politicians to have a change of heart, saying that “failure in Dubai will be a great disappointment and jeopardize whatever good has been achieved thus far.”

The pope’s attendance at COP28 is a significant gesture, sending a strong message to world leaders that climate change is a moral imperative. It is also an opportunity for Francis to use his platform to advocate for the most vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.

The world is watching COP28 closely, hoping for progress on ambitious climate goals. Pope Francis’ presence at the summit is a reminder that the stakes are high, and that we must all work together to protect our planet for future generations.