Pope Leo XIV on climate change. (UM Insight Screenshot from YouTube)
Texas Impact | Nov. 17, 2025
Belém, Brazil (November 17, 2025) — As many hoped, Pope Leo has weighed in on the global climate negotiations. The pope issued a video message to world leaders gathered in Belém urging them to “choose cooperation over division and denial” in ramping up investment and implementation of ambitious climate policies.
US faith community representatives participating in the COP welcomed the Pope’s message, urging US faith communities to share the video and written statement widely.
Texas Impact Executive Director Bee Moorhead said, “The Pope’s statement fits perfectly with the ‘COP of Truth’ theme. Faith leaders from around the globe are attending COP30, and it’s clear there must be a much more spiritual dimension to these negotiations. Global collaboration to address climate change is one of the most concrete examples of ‘loving our neighbors.’ We are so grateful to the Holy Father for his leadership.”
The Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards, Climate Action Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, said, “Expressing gratitude for the delegates to COP30 acting with hope rather than despair, Pope Leo calls climate negotiators and the global community to set aside our differences and work with urgency to fight climate change, guided by the Paris Agreement. It is not the science that is failing us, it is a failure of our will. Guided by our shared love of God and neighbor, It is up to each of us to commit to a future marked by cooperation, solidarity, and a just and stable climate.”
Gina Castillo, Senior Climate Advisor for Catholic Relief Services, said, “Pope Leo’s illuminating words come as we start the phase of political negotiations. They should give courage to the world’s leaders to push through these final days and make bold decisions that will truly respond to the enormous needs of the most climate—vulnerable communities who are being devastated by the impacts of climate change.”
Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament and Environmental Ministry Coordinator at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, said, “Thanks be to God for Pope Leo’s commitment to the Amazon as a “living symbol of creation.” As faith leaders gathered in Belem we hear the cry of creation, in the cries of people experiencing climate disasters. Pope Leo says there is still time to act, but time is short. Our moment is a moment for prophetic hope and determination-- what Jesus calls a “kairos,” a moment for transformation. We commit our churches to urgent action to call on governments to fulfill their Paris Accord commitments.”
Regina Q. Banks, J.D., Director of the Lutheran Public Policy Office of California, said, “In my work, I am often presented with the fallacy that climate justice is only possible at the expense of other justice initiatives, that we must choose between climate justice and gender justice, or housing, or economic equality. This idea of some kind of justice scarcity, and that climate justice is some sort of luxury, is simply untrue, both from our public policy and faith experiences. I am heartened to see the leadership at COP30 understand and articulate the truth, that justice begets justice, that justice multiplies when we pursue it, and that climate justice is a core structure for all the right we must do in this world.”
Christine Moffett, Program Director for Environment and Energy Policy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said ““Receiving this message from Pope Leo XIV while being on the ground in Belém is incredibly moving. The call for stronger actions and increased determination could not come at a better time. This statement not only makes this call for negotiators or governments but for people of faith to stand together for God’s Creation.”
GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
TO THE PARTICULAR CHURCHES OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH GATHERED AT THE AMAZONIAN MUSEUM OF BELÉM
17 NOVEMBER 2025
I greet the particular Churches of the Global South gathered at the Amazonian Museum of Belém, joining the prophetic voice of my brother Cardinals who have taken part in COP 30, telling the world with words and gestures that the Amazon region remains a living symbol of creation with an urgent need for care.
You chose hope and action over despair, building a global community that works together. This has delivered progress, but not enough. Hope and determination must be renewed, not only in words and aspirations, but also in concrete actions.
The creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat. One in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes. To them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity.
There is still time to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5°C, but the window is closing. As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He entrusted to us.
The Paris Agreement has driven real progress and remains our strongest tool for protecting people and the planet. But we must be honest: it is not the Agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response. What is failing is the political will of some.
True leadership means service, and support at a scale that will truly make a difference. Stronger climate actions will create stronger and fairer economic systems. Strong climate actions and policies, both are an investment in a more just and stable world.
We walk alongside scientists, leaders and pastors of every nation and creed. We are guardians of creation, not rivals for its spoils. Let us send a clear global signal together: nations standing in unwavering solidarity behind the Paris Agreement and behind climate cooperation.
Let this Amazonic Museum be remembered as the space where humanity chose cooperation over division and denial.
And may God bless all of you in your efforts to continue caring for God’s creation. In the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
SALUDO DEL SANTO PADRE LEON XIV
A LAS IGLESIAS PARTICULARES DEL SUR GLOBAL
REUNIDAS EN EL MUSEO AMAZÓNICO DE BELÉM
17 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2025
Saludo a las Iglesias particulares del Sur Global reunidas en el Museo Amazónico de Belém, acompañando la voz profética de mis hermanos Cardenales en la COP 30, diciendo al mundo con palabras y gestos que el Amazonas sigue siendo un símbolo vivo de la creación con una urgente necesidad de cuidado.
Ustedes eligieron la esperanza y la acción en lugar de la desesperación, construyendo una comunidad global que trabaja en conjunto. Se han logrado avances, pero no suficientes. La esperanza y la determinación deben renovarse, no sólo con palabras y aspiraciones, sino también con acciones concretas.
La creación clama en inundaciones, sequías, tormentas y un calor implacable. Una de cada tres personas vive en gran vulnerabilidad debido a estos cambios. Para ellos, el cambio climático no es una amenaza distante. Ignorar a estas personas es negar nuestra humanidad compartida. Aún hay tiempo para mantener el aumento de la temperatura global por debajo de 1,5 °C, pero la ventana se está cerrando. Como custodios de la creación de Dios, estamos llamados a actuar con rapidez, fe y profecía para proteger el don que Él nos confió.
El Acuerdo de París ha impulsado un progreso real y sigue siendo nuestra herramienta más poderosa para proteger a las personas y al planeta. Pero debemos ser honestos: no es el Acuerdo el que está fallando, sino nuestra respuesta. Lo que está fallando es la voluntad política de algunos. El verdadero liderazgo implica servicio y apoyo a una escala que pueda hacer de verdad la diferencia. Acciones climáticas más contundentes crearán sistemas económicos más sólidos y justos. Medidas políticas y climáticas firmes constituyen una inversión en un mundo más justo y estable.
Caminamos junto a científicos, líderes y pastores de todas las naciones y credos. Somos guardianes de la creación, no rivales por sus bienes. Enviemos juntos un mensaje global claro: las naciones permanecen unidas en firme solidaridad con el Acuerdo de París y la cooperación climática.
Que este Museo Amazónico sea recordado como el espacio donde la humanidad eligió la cooperación sobre la división y la negación.
Que Dios los bendiga a todos en sus esfuerzos por seguir cuidando la creación de Dios. En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.
Watch Pope Leo’s message: