Climate change puts humanity on 'verge of suicide,' Pope tells reporters

November 30, 2015

Mankind is “on the verge of suicide” because of climate change, Pope Francis said in an interview session with reporters aboard the plane as he returned from a 5-day trip to Africa.

Responding to a question about the UN climate-change conference in Paris, the Pontiff said that serious action is needed to save the environment. He added that he could not predict the outcome of the Paris talks, “but what I can say is that it is either now or never.”

In the same exchange with reporters on his November 30 flight, the Pope repeated his criticism of fundamentalism, including Catholic fundamentalism; conceded that the Catholic Church “faces a bit of a predicament” regarding the use of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS; and said that “a mistake was made” in the appointment of consultants who now face charges for leaking confidential Vatican documents.

Reflecting on the visits to Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic that he had just concluded, the Pope said that he was most impressed by “the crowds, the joy, the ability to celebrate even with an empty stomach.” He confirmed that his next major trip will be to Mexico. Regarding the possibility of another visit to African in the future, he said: “I don’t know; I’m old and travel is tiring.”

Responding to a question about the dangers posed by religious fundamentalism, the Pope refused to point toward Islam as the source of the crisis. “Fundamentalism is a disease that is found in all religions,” he said. “In the Catholic Church we have some—many-- who believe they possess the absolute truth and they go on sullying others through slander and defamation and this is wrong. I say this because it is my Church. Religious fundamentalism must be combated.”

When asked whether the Church should reconsider its stand against the use of condoms, the Pope said that the question betrayed a bias. But he said that he objected to “casuistic reflections” when lives are at stake, and said that the question reminded him of the challenge to Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. “Forget about whether it is acceptable or not to heal on a Saturday,” the Pope said. “Make justice and when everyone is healed, when there is no injustice in this world, then we can talk about Saturday.”

Pope Francis told the reporters that “I haven’t lost any sleep” over the ‘Vatileaks II’ trial. He remarked that the leaked documents published recently in two books actually show that the Vatican has made great strides in eliminating financial mismanagement. The Pope made a point of giving credit to his predecessor, Benedict XVI, for initiating the drive against Vatican corruption.

 

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Further information:

• Pope says he was surprised by crowds, joy in Africa (CNS)
• Full text of the Pope's press conference aboard the papal plane (Rome Reports)