By Robert Kigongo
Africa-Press – Uganda. Continental airwaves, from social media to traditional media, are awash with grief and reflection over the passing of Pope Francis, the 267th head of the Catholic Church.
Thousands of faithful have journeyed to the Vatican to bid farewell to Jorge Mario Bergoglio, while millions across the globe continue to send condolence messages and tributes.
Amidst the mourning and heavy media traffic, my attention has been drawn to the powerful attributions recognising Pope Francis’s remarkable contributions — from spiritual guidance, humility, and philanthropy to his efforts in combating religious extremism — not only within the Catholic fraternity but across humanity.
Among his most admirable legacies was his stewardship towards nature and environmental protection.
While United States President Donald Trump chose to withdraw from the Paris Agreement through an executive order, Pope Francis took a radically different path.
He wholeheartedly committed to climate action, championing environmental protection at the highest levels. Through his encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, unveiled during the Vatican Council II and officially released in 2015, he made a passionate appeal for the protection, restoration, and conservation of the Earth.
Pope Francis’s high-level political will reinvigorated the Catholic Church’s commitment to climate action and mobilised vast numbers of followers globally.
Without such political will, efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation risk becoming empty gestures.
The absence of strong political leadership stalls climate financing, undermines international treaties, weakens obligations, and hinders the development of strategic global partnerships.
Conversely, when leaders demonstrate bold commitment, it drives robust climate action, accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14, and 15.
Pope Francis’s determined stance also fostered international cooperation. In his speeches and writings, he openly held powerful nations, including the United States and China, accountable for their failures in reducing emissions, promoting a culture of accountability and transparency in environmental governance.
His messages inspired a surge in “climate democracy,” motivating young climate activists who regularly cited him in their advocacy, writings, and protests.
His voice was also influential at COP28, where he underscored the significance of the Paris Agreement and urged world leaders to act decisively to maintain the 1.5°C global warming limit.
This kind of political will is crucial in encouraging governments and charitable trusts to allocate resources for initiatives like the Loss and Damage Fund, which, despite discussions at COP26 and COP28, remains underfunded and uncertain.
Pope Francis drew inspiration from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Orthodox Church, praising him for speaking powerfully about the need to care for creation.
Their collaboration demonstrated how religious leaders, across traditions, can wield moral authority and values to push for climate action.
In today’s world, religious leaders play a critical role in addressing social, political, economic, and environmental challenges. They command respect and can influence communities to support environmental protection, restoration, and conservation.
Pope Francis, through Laudato Si’, educated millions about their individual and collective responsibilities toward the environment, highlighting the devastating effects of fossil fuel dependence, noise pollution, and nuclear weapons.
His spiritual leadership inspired global initiatives like the Laudato Si’ Movement, now active in over 150 countries.
In Uganda, the Laudato Si Environmental Club at St Mary’s Vocational School Kyamuhunga in western Uganda has made remarkable contributions to biodiversity conservation, afforestation, and sustainable wetland use.
The school’s success, winning the Green Schools Project Innovation category, is a testament to Pope Francis’s enduring influence.
The struggle to maintain the 1.5°C target will require everyone — from popes and heads of state to grand imams, patriarchs, and Pentecostal pastors — because climate change respects neither religion, race, nor age.
Pope Francis once said, “The destruction of the environment is an offence against God that greatly endangers all human beings, especially the most vulnerable, and threatens to unleash conflict between generations.”
Today, the world is far more aware of environmental hazards, largely thanks to the high-level political will of Pope Francis.
As the world awaits the election of his successor from the Vatican conclave, I appeal to the conscience of Donald Trump and other global religious and political leaders to emulate the late Jorge Mario Bergoglio in being true stewards of our planet.
Source: Nilepost News
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