Pope Francis believes that the Paris Climate Summit will be our "last chance" to take a stand against global warming.
Pope Francis urges leaders "take a very strong stand" against environmental degradation as well as other pressing issues in the world today.
The pope spoke at a Vatican-hosted conference, in front of at least 50 mayors all around the world. Pope Francis also declares that the upcoming Paris Climate Summit will "likely be the last chance to limit global warming" in a signed document.
The document, entitled "Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home" is a 180-page document containing explaining climate change as well as ethical, moral and religious questions about humanity's relationship with Mother Earth.
Pope Francis joined the event for half an hour, urging the mayors to take a bold stand against elements that destroy nature, adding that the condition of the environment is a human concern and responsibility.
"I have a great hopes in the Paris summit," the Pope said. "I have great hopes that a fundamental agreement is reached. The United Nations needs to take a very strong stand on this."
It is also expected that Pope Francis, during the Paris Climate Summit, will talk about the Earth in the context of Catholicism and religiosity, much like this excerpt from "Laudato Si":
"We are not God. The Earth was here before us and it has been given to us. This allows us to respond to the charge that Judaeo-Christian thinking, on the basis of the Genesis account which grants man "dominion" over the Earth (cf. Gen 1:28), has encouraged the unbridled exploitation of nature by painting him as domineering and destructive by nature.
This is not a correct interpretation of the Bible as understood by the Church."
"Laudato Si" also points out many harsh realities that come along with climate change such as the poor being the most vulnerable of all sectors in the society.
The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) will be held in Paris in December.
