The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) taking place in Belém, Brazil, “represents a historic call for the church to reaffirm its prophetic position” on climate justice, a leading Brazilian cardinal said.
“Global institutions and multilateral negotiations are falling far short of what is needed,” said Cardinal Jaime Spengler, archbishop of Porto Alegre and president of the Brazilian bishops’ conference, during an Oct. 2 address on climate and the upcoming summit. “Hence the urgency of rebuilding trust in cooperation and dialogue.”
Spengler’s address came during the “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” conference hosted on the grounds of the papal summer residence outside Rome to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.” The conference, kicked off by Pope Leo XIV calling for a “true ecological conversion” that moves people to climate action, brought together church leaders, scientists, policymakers and activists to reflect on the encyclical’s impact and mobilize action ahead of COP30.