Climate Advocacy Legacy: Will Pope Leo XIV Maintain Pope Francis's Fervor?

Hail the Green Pope: Let's take a peek at the environmental priorities of our freshly minted Pope Leo XIV

After a smokin' hot papal conclave, we've got a new Pope in town! Who is this fella, Robert Francis Prevost? Well, let's see...

The world wasn't exactly buzzing about him before he ascended to the Holy See, but his views on the environment are now causing quite the stir. So, what's the scoop on his stance towards climate change to rival that of the beloved Pope Francis, considered an "unyielding champion of climate action"?

Time will tell, but here are some reasons to believe that 69-year-old Pope Leo could pick up where Francis left off in this crucial global battle.

Popped his climate change cherry

According to the College of Cardinals Report, a research initiative by an international team of Catholic journalists and researchers, Prevost is outspoken about the pressing need for action on climate change.

Last November, he took part in a Rome seminar dedicated to discussing the Climate Change Crisis. During the event, he expressed the urgency of shifting "from words to action" and advocated that this call to action should be grounded in the Church's Social Doctrine.

Furthermore, he emphasized that "dominion over nature," as tasked by God, should become a "relationship of reciprocity" with the environment, avoiding becoming "tyrannical." He also expressed concerns about the harmful impacts of unrestrained technological development.

Pope Leo has also showcased the Church's commitment to the environment with small yet practical steps, such as the Vatican installing solar panels and transitioning to electric vehicles.

The College of Cardinals Report indicates that Prevost aligns closely with Pope Francis's environmental priorities.

Speaking truth to power

The new Pope takes on his role at a time when humanity is reeling from the effects of a warming world. CO2 levels in the atmosphere are now 50% higher than pre-industrial times due largely to the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in a global temperature increase of 1.3°C, leading to a torrent of escalating climate disasters, from heatwaves to droughts, floods, and wildfires.

As Donald Trump's administration seeks to minimize and downplay these climate realities, Pope Leo has already demonstrated that he's not afraid to call out political leaders who fall short of moral responsibility.

Last year, his Twitter account criticized Trump's deportation policies, and he took CNN's JD Vance to task for his interview on Fox News, saying Jesus doesn't ask for ranking our love for others.

Can a Pope really save the world?

As the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo has the potential to sway individuals and inspire world leaders towards taking climate action.

During his tenure, Pope Francis wrote two encyclicals—pastoral letters addressed to the globe—on the environment. His first, Laudato si': On Care For Our Common Home, released before the 2015 UN Climate Conference, provided a powerful moral mandate for addressing climate change and backed the Paris Climate Change Agreement[4].

Pope Francis also continually emphasized inequality in the consequences of climate change. Christina Figueres, the architect of the Paris Agreement, stated that Francis's encyclical was instrumental in bringing together world leaders during the crucial negotiations[4].

Pope Leo assumes the throne as the world faces critical challenges, and it remains to be seen whether he'll take on the mantle of his predecessor in addressing climate change. However, one thing is clear: the world needs a strong, resolute moral voice more than ever, and Pope Leo is poised to fill that role[5].

Sources:

[1] https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/216165936/national-geographic-magazine-1945[2] https://religiondispatches.org/who-is-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-what-we-know-about-us-born-popes-climate-change-positions/[3] https://systemicdisfunctions.com/2022/01/30/is-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-similar-to-pope-francis-on-climate-issues/[4] https://www.ncronline.org/news/climate-change/reaction-pope-leos-election-catholic-world[5] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/28/with-climate-on-the-brink-the-world-needs-a-strong-moral-voice-more-than-ever-cafod-says

The newly crowned Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, has been outspoken about the pressing need for action on climate change, as evidenced by his participation in a Rome seminar dedicated to the Climate Change Crisis and his endorsement of shifting "from words to action."
In line with Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV's stance towards climate change is grounded in the Church's Social Doctrine, emphasizing a "relationship of reciprocity" with the environment and expressing concerns about the harmful impacts of unrestrained technological development.
As the world grapples with the consequences of a warming world and escalating climate disasters such as wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves, Pope Leo XIV is not shy about calling out political leaders who fall short of their moral duty on this critical issue.
With the potential to influence 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo XIV's views could have a significant impact on global climate policy and legislation, similar to the movement sparked by Pope Francis when he wrote encyclicals on the environment.
The ongoing climate crisis calls for a strong, resolute moral voice more than ever, and Pope Leo XIV, as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, is well-positioned to take on this role in the face of looming environmental challenges.