Pope Francis Will Speak At COP28.
COP28 will open its doors from November 30th to December 12th.
This 28th edition will see for the first time the in-person participation of a Pontiff of the Holy See, Pope Francis, on his second trip to the United Arab Emirates, after the trip to Abu Dhabi in February 2019, when the historic Declaration was signed on Human Fraternity.
The Pope will be present at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), in Dubai, from the 1st to the 3rd of December, where he will give a speech, to reiterate the calls, expectations and hopes already expressed in Laudate Deum, to hold private bilateral meetings and to inaugurate the “Faith Pavilion” at Expo City .
The "cry” by Francisco for the world to commit to a response to the climate crisis, that is, the same cry launched in Laudato si' and later crystallized in Laudate Deum, will have a voice in Dubai.
The Pope's Trip to COP28
COP28, the most important event of the year organized by the UN, will take place in the futuristic emirate of Dubai, a city of opulence and ultramodern architecture, one of the largest exporters of fossil energy, but, at the same time, a major investor in energy. renewable.
At this COP28, world leaders will have to take stock of progress and delays in what the Pope, taking inspiration from Saint Francis, defines as;
“Care for our common home”.
Pope Francis is scheduled to give a speech at COP28 and, in addition to inaugurating the “Pavilion of Faith” at Expo City, will participate in several bilateral meetings.
According to the official program for the Pope's visit to Dubai, from December 1st to 3rd, the visit will take place on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).
The Holy Father will depart from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport on the morning of Friday, December 1st, at 11:30 am, bound for Dubai. It is expected to land at Dubai World Central International Airport at around 20:25 pm, where a welcome ceremony will be held.
The Speech for COP28
The centerpiece of the visit will take place on Saturday, December 2, when Pope Francis addresses COP28 participants. He is scheduled to arrive at Expo City, where the conference will take place, at 10am, to give his speech.
From 10:30 am and in the afternoon, after 15:30 pm, you will participate in a series of private bilateral meetings.
The Inauguration of the Pavilion of Faith
On Sunday, December 3rd, the Pope will inaugurate the “Pavilion of Faith” at 9 am, when he will give words of greeting.
The Pavilion of Faith will be hosted by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Holy See and a coalition of religious partners. It aims to convey a message of peace to the world.
At 10:15 am, Pope Francis will travel to Dubai World Central International Airport for a farewell ceremony. His departure for Rome is scheduled for 10:45 am, arriving at Fiumicino Airport at 14:40 pm Rome time.
45th Papal Trip
The papal trip, the 45th of the pontificate and the sixth in 2023, was confirmed by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni.
“Accepting the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Holiness Pope Francis will travel, as announced, to Dubai, from 1st to 3rd December 2023, on the occasion of the next Framework Conference of Nations United Nations on Climate Change (COP28)”.
The Pope himself had already announced his presence in a recent interview with TG1 (an Italian news program):
“Yes, I will go to Dubai. I think I will leave on December 1st until December 3rd. I will stay there for three days.”
Said the Pontiff, remembering that it was precisely a COP, the 21st of 2015 held in Paris that gave the impetus for the drafting of the social encyclical Laudato si'.
When Pope Francis went to Strasbourg, to the European Parliament, he was received by the Minister of the Environment, Ségolène Royal, sent by President Hollande who asked him if he was preparing something on the environment, asking him to do so before the Paris meeting.
The Pope then called some scientists who informed him of the facts, resulting in the publication of Laudato Si', before the Paris meeting.
Now, in light of the Laudate Deum published on October 4, the day of the liturgical memory of Saint Francis of Assisi, from whom he took his name and mission, Francis also wants to be physically present at this important international meeting, about which, in addition , recent tensions in Europe and the Middle East weigh heavily.
Pope Francis dedicates an entire chapter of his apostolic exhortation to the long-awaited meeting in Dubai, entitled “What can we expect from COP28 in Dubai?“. In this chapter, the expectations and hopes of the Bishop of Rome are condensed, as he contemplates the reality of Dubai, where oil and gas companies dream of carrying out new projects to further expand their production.
The Pope's Appeal
In a direct appeal, the Pope warns that adopting a resigned attitude towards COP28 would be harmful, exposing all of humanity, especially the most disadvantaged, to the worst impacts of climate change.
In his papal exhortation, he highlights the importance of believing in the human capacity to transcend individual interests and think big. He highlights the need not to give up on the dream that COP28 will drive a decisive acceleration in the energy transition, with effective commitments to be permanently monitored.
The Pope considers COP28 as a possible point of change, validating the seriousness and usefulness of everything that has been achieved since 1992. He warns that, on the other hand, failure would represent a great disappointment, putting at risk the progress achieved so far.
The concerns expressed by the Pope have been echoed in the United Arab Emirates, where Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sultan Al Jaber and President of COP28, shares appreciation for the Pope's strong support for positive climate action.
Al Jaber reaffirms the country's commitment to bringing parties together, ensuring inclusion, achieving clear commitments and actions, pursuing ambitious climate action for global benefit.
Highlights the critical point of the conference: keeping the temperature increase within 1,5 degrees Celsius and the main goal of reducing 22 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, recognizing the urgency of adapting to the climate changes that already affect us .
Pope Francis' participation in COP28 is seen as a vital gesture so that world leaders do not leave the legacy of a ruined planet to future generations.
Conclusion
Pope Francis' imminent participation in COP28, which will take place in Dubai from December 1 to 3, represents a significant milestone for the Holy See and the climate event itself. The presence of the Pontiff, who has already played a crucial role in inspiring Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum, reinforces the urgency and importance of global commitment to addressing climate change.
The context of COP28 in Dubai, a futuristic city with a striking duality between opulence and efforts in renewable energy, highlights the global challenges faced by world leaders. Francisco, drawing inspiration from Saint Francis of Assisi, instigates the “great leaders” to take care of “Common house“, a mission shared by all of us.
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Picture: © 2023 Vatican Media
