'World is collapsing': Pope's appeal to governments ahead of COP28 climate summit

The Pope also acknowledged divisions within the Church on climate change, citing the support of some US bishops for former President Donald Trump's assertion that climate change was "a hoax."

The pontiff's plea comes ahead of the COP28 conference scheduled to commence next month in Dubai

Pope Francis has urged for a radical shift in attitudes towards the escalating environmental crisis. The pontiff's plea comes ahead of the COP28 conference scheduled to commence next month in Dubai.

In his latest document, "Laudate Deum" (Praise God), Pope Francis expressed concern over the slow pace of transition to clean, renewable energy and the continued reliance on fossil fuels. He cautioned against over-reliance on technology to capture gas emissions, emphasizing that it does not address the human causes at the heart of global warming.

"The world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point," he said. "It is indubitable that the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons."

As the COP28 conference approaches, Pope Francis expressed hope for a decisive acceleration of energy transition, with effective commitments subject to ongoing monitoring. He warned that failure in Dubai would be a great disappointment and jeopardize any progress made so far.

The Pope also acknowledged divisions within the Church on climate change, citing the support of some US bishops for former President Donald Trump's assertion that climate change was "a hoax."

"I feel obliged to make these clarifications, which may appear obvious, because of certain dismissive and scarcely reasonable opinions that I encounter, even within the Catholic Church," Francis wrote.