Climate change

The Latest

Pilgrims shield themselves from the sun at Pope Francis' general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Pope Francis unveils plan for Vatican to go solar

Jun 26, 2024

By Kristina Millare

The plan was outlined in Pope Francis’ latest motu proprio, “Fratello Sole,” or “Brother Sun.” Read more

A flooded road is seen in the village of Tintenbar after heavy rain on April 5, 2024, in Ballina, Australia.

Conference in Rome highlights Pacific islands’ climate peril and calls for global action

Jun 26, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Organized by the Australian Embassy to the Holy See, the June 23 event aimed at raising awareness of the impacts... Read more

Pope Francis meets with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday, June 14, 2024, after a session at the G7 summit, which is being held June 13–15 in the southern Italian region of Puglia.

Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis at G7 Summit to discuss foreign policy, climate change

Jun 14, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

President Joe Biden privately met with Pope Francis early Friday evening in Apulia, Italy, at the Group of Seven (G7)... Read more

Govenor Gavin Newsom of California.

International summit on climate change to bring California, New York governors to the Vatican

May 11, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The joint summit “From Climate Crisis To Climate Resilience,” will be held at the Vatican from May 15–17 at the... Read more

Vatican Dicastery for Communications prefect Paolo Ruffini and Vatican Secretary-General Sister Raffaella Petrini inaugurate the photographic exhibition titled “Changes” on May 7, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Vatican opens photographic exhibition on effects of climate change

May 10, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

A photographic exhibition titled “Changes” opened this week in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, showcasing the effects of climate... Read more

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5 Catholic ways to celebrate Earth Day 

Apr 22, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The Catholic Church has a long tradition of calling for proper stewardship of the earth. Read more

Pope Francis meets with participants of the conference “Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and the Sciences,” sponsored by the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, held at the Vatican from March 14–15, 2024.

Pope Francis: Indigenous ‘ancestral wisdom’ a vital tool in fight against climate change

Mar 15, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis addressed his remarks to participants of the conference “Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and the Sciences” at the Vatican on... Read more

The facade of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy.

Climate activists vandalize St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy

Dec 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Climate activists vandalized the facade of the nearly 1,000-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, on Thursday. Read more

Turin Cathedral.

Climate activists disrupt archbishop’s Mass in Turin

Dec 4, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Activists with the climate group Extinction Rebellion interrupted Mass at the Turin Cathedral on Sunday while reading aloud from the... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience on Nov. 22, 2023.

Pope Francis signs interfaith climate statement as part of COP28 summit in Dubai

Dec 4, 2023

By Daniel Payne

“Our faith instills in us a sacred duty to cherish not only our human family but also the fragile ecosystem... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience on Nov. 22, 2023.

Pope Francis to COP28: Environmental destruction is ‘an offense against God’

Dec 2, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis canceled his scheduled trip to Dubai days before the climate summit at the request of his doctors. Read more

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America’s Catholics weigh in on Pope Francis’ climate change priorities

Dec 1, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The pope’s foray into climate science variously draws both praise and consternation from Catholics in the U.S. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Cardinal Parolin will represent Pope Francis at climate conference

Dec 1, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The pope was advised by his doctors earlier this week not to travel to Dubai due to a bronchial infection. Read more

Pope Francis pictured on Nov. 27, 2023. The pope felt well enough to keep his scheduled appointment with the president of Paraguay on Monday morning as he recovers from the flu.

Vatican cancels Pope Francis’ trip to climate conference in Dubai, citing ongoing illness

Nov 28, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Vatican indicated the Holy Father will still attempt to participate in the conference in some fashion. Read more

Pope Francis on Nov. 24, 2023, met with representatives, mayors, and religious leaders from areas in central Italy hit by devastating earthquakes between August 2016 and January 2017.

Pope Francis: More sustainable cities can help with population decline

Nov 24, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Putting the person back at the center of the city: This is the way forward,” Pope Francis said Nov. 24. Read more

Pope Francis received President-Designate of COP28 UAE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber on Oct. 11, 2023, at the Vatican.

Vatican releases schedule for Pope Francis’ trip to Dubai in December

Nov 9, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope will visit the United Arab Emirates’ most populous city Dec. 1–3 where he will give a speech and... Read more

COP28 logo.

Vatican joins interfaith declaration on fighting climate change

Nov 8, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy See has signed an interfaith declaration on taking action to protect the environment during a religious summit held... Read more

Pope Francis presides over his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 18, 2023.

Update: Pope Francis to attend COP28 climate change conference in Dubai in December

Nov 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said in a TV interview he will travel to the United Arab Emirates for the second time from... Read more

Pope Francis received President-Designate of COP28 UAE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the Vatican.

COP28 president-designate meets with Pope Francis to discuss common climate goals 

Oct 12, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber from the UAE met the pope on Wednesday at the Vatican ahead of the COP28 meeting... Read more

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Read some of the reactions to the pope’s ‘heartfelt appeal’ on climate change

Oct 5, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the environment and the threat of climate change was met with praise both by Catholic... Read more