Pope praises youth climate activists for challenging adults

Pope Francis is praising young environmental activists for challenging global leaders to make good on promises to curb emissions

MILAN, Italy -- Pope Francis on Wednesday praised young environmental activists for challenging global leaders to make good on promises to curb emissions and insisted that political leaders make wise decisions to promote “a culture of responsible sharing.”

Francis offered a video message to a three-day youth climate gathering in Milan that has drawn some 400 activists, including Greta Thunberg of Sweden and Vanessa Nakate of Uganda. The Youth4Climate summit is sending recommendations to the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, that begins Oct. 31.

Francis thanked the activists for their “dreams and good projects” and encouraged them to form an educational alliance to help “rebuild the fabric” of humanity through care for the planet.

“This vision is capable of challenging the adult world, for it reveals that you are prepared not only for action, but also for patient listening, constructive dialogue and mutual understanding,” he said.