Here is a translation of the Video-Message that the Holy Father Francis sent to the participants in the on-going International “Leaders’ Summit on Climate,” in virtual form, organized by the United States from April 22 to 23, 2021.

The Summit is a key milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow and is designed to increase the chances for meaningful outcomes on global climate action at COP26.

The Holy Father sent the message on April 22. The same day, also released a Video-Message that Pope Francis sent on the occasion of World Earth Day. In his message, the Holy Father stressed how the pandemic has increased the world’s awareness of the need to take greater care of the earth.

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 The Holy Father’s Video-Message

 Good morning. I greet you all who are gathered in this initiative that seems happy to me, an initiative that puts us all, the whole of humanity through its leaders, on the way. It puts us concretely on the way to the Glasgow meeting, but even more concretely, it makes us responsible for the protection of nature, for that gift that we received and that we must look after, protect and take forward. And this acquires an even greater significance because it is a challenge we have in this post-pandemic time. It’s still not over, but for that matter, we must look ahead, because it’s a crisis. We know that we don’t come out of a crisis the same: we either come out better or worse.

And our concern is to see that the environment is cleaner, purer and conserved. And we take care of nature so that it will take care of us. I wish you success in his very nice decision to meet, to walk forward and I accompany you. Thank you very much.

[Original text: Spanish]  [Exaudi’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]