Pope Francis has canceled his much-anticipated trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate summit, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.
The decision, prompted by health concerns, marks a significant moment as Francis was expected to be the first Pontiff to attend the global climate conference, as per The Independent.
Pope Francis Withdraws From COP28 Amid Health Issues
TOPSHOT - Pope Francis leads a mass on the opening day of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, at St Peter's square in The Vatican, on October 4, 2023.
The Vatican's press office director, Matteo Bruni, stated that the Pope is currently receiving intravenous antibiotics for lung inflammation but does not have pneumonia or fever.
Scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates from December 1-3, Pope Francis was set to address the summit and inaugurate the first Faith Pavilion at COP28. His presence was highly anticipated, given his vocal advocacy for climate action and his role as a moral authority on the global stage.
His tweets preceding the cancellation expressed hope that COP28 would accelerate the energy transition, underscoring the importance of the conference in combating climate change.
The Vatican's statement indicated that while the Pope's general health had improved, his doctors advised against the journey, and Francis regretted accepting this recommendation.
This cancellation came after the Pope had to recite the traditional Angelus prayer from his residence instead of the usual location overlooking St Peter's Square due to light flu symptoms.
Despite recent health challenges, including knee and hip pain, an inflamed colon, hernia surgery, and now respiratory issues, the Pope is still scheduled to lead his weekly audience on November 29.
These health issues have not deterred him from fulfilling his duties as the leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics, emphasizing the link between climate change and poverty, according to RTE.
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Pope Advocates Major Emission Cuts
The Pope's address at COP28 was anticipated to be a powerful call for action against climate change, particularly urging countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
His previous writings, including the influential 2015 encyclical "Laudato Si" (Praise Be To You) and a recent text warning that the world is nearing a "breaking point" due to global warming, have played critical roles in shaping global discourse on the environment.
Pope Francis's absence from COP28 is a notable loss for the conference, given his influence in advocating for urgent climate action and bridging the divide between climate-vulnerable nations and wealthy polluters.
His writings have been instrumental in the past, contributing to breakthroughs in UN climate talks, such as the Paris Agreement in 2015.
Although unable to physically attend, the Vatican has indicated that Pope Francis still intends to participate in the conference in some capacity. This decision serves to point out his dedication to confronting climate concerns, regardless of the obstacles posed by health concerns.
The Pope's planned visit to Dubai was not only important for his participation in COP28 but also for marking the first time a pontiff would have attended such an event, reflecting the growing engagement of religious leadership in climate matters. The inauguration of the first-ever faith pavilion at COP was also set to symbolize this increasing involvement, CNA reported.
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