Dorota Abdelmoula-Viet – Vatican
Addressing the participants of the 10th World Austrian Summit, which is taking place today in Vienna’s Hofburg, the Pope emphasizes that “the Church has always been aware that ecological issues have a moral dimension.” He also refers to the encyclical Magnifica humanitas.
Indispensable perspective of faith
“Although some may think that faith has little to offer on issues of climate change and environmental protection, the religious dimension is in fact essential to properly address these issues,” says the Holy Father. He emphasizes that faith in the world being created by God obliges greater care for creation.
Referring to the encyclical Magnifica humanitas, the Pope also notes the deep ethical foundations of creation protection, linked to the issue of protecting and promoting the equal dignity of every human being and the supreme value of human rights. “These fundamental personal and social issues are closely related to the climate crisis, which – as I have said – is one of the manifestations, and a very significant one, of a broader socio-economic crisis,” he adds, noting that without resolving this crisis, mere “technical” environmental protection measures will not be fully effective.
Biblical hope as an antidote to skeptics and cynics
Speaking of hope, the Holy Father points to a mechanism in which, on the one hand, anxiety grows, caused by the lack of peace in the world, contributed to by, among other things, a lack of respect for creation and the predatory exploitation of natural resources, and on the other hand, fear also accompanies the prospect of changing the current way of acting.
“It is precisely here,” says the Pope, “that religious leaders and faith communities can make a special contribution by supporting ambitious social and environmental actions, because the Bible is full of examples showing how human fears can be overcome by hope, which is ultimately a gift from God himself.” And he emphasizes that biblical hope can be a “driving force” despite the voices of skeptics and cynics.
Richer countries must support poorer ones
The hope that Leo XIV speaks of is not theoretical, but concretized in actions, including the commitment of financial support that richer countries should provide to poorer ones. “We also need to create a new, human-centered international financial system that will provide all countries – especially the poorest and most vulnerable to climate disasters – with the opportunity for full development, while respecting the dignity of their citizens,” he adds, reiterating his appeal from his message to the participants of COP30 last year.
Civic and political love
The Pope also refers to reflections on “civic and political love,” contained in the encyclical Laudato si’. He emphasizes that such love is “key to development,” because it motivates both daily gestures and the development of broader strategies to prevent environmental degradation. And he adds that promoting a culture of care translates into building a civilization of love.
The World Austrian Summit climate summit has been organized in Vienna since 2017 by the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative – an institution founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monika Langthaler. The event gathers politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, and social activists.
