Pope Francis issued a stark warning about the state of the planet on Friday, describing Earth as “sick” due to climate change. The message comes just ahead of his upcoming 12-day visit to Southeast Asia, where he is expected to call for urgent global action to address the environmental crisis.
In a video message, the pope stated, “If we took the planet’s temperature, it will tell us that the Earth has a fever. And it is sick.” He urged people worldwide to commit to protecting the environment by changing both personal and community habits. This message aligns with his prayer intention for September, which is focused on “the cry of the Earth.”
The 87-year-old pontiff will embark on a trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore from September 2 to 13. These nations face significant threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, severe heat waves, and unpredictable typhoons.
Throughout his 11-year papacy, Pope Francis has consistently highlighted environmental issues. During his video address, he emphasized that combating climate change requires comprehensive actions that are ecological, social, economic, and political.
“The ones suffering most from the consequences of these disasters are the poor, those who are forced to leave their homes because of floods, heat waves or drought,” he noted, underscoring the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
As the pope prepares for his trip, his call to action on environmental protection resonates globally, urging a collective response to the escalating climate crisis.