admin
WASHINGTON. — Pope Francis yesterday urged the United States to help tackle climate change and called on Americans to build a truly tolerant and inclusive society, as he struck a political tone on his first visit to the world’s richest nation.
In a speech on the White House South Lawn, the Argentine pontiff lauded President Barack Obama’s efforts to reduce air pollution, months after Pope Francis made the environment one of his top issues by issuing a landmark “encyclical” letter.
“It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem, which can no longer be left to a future generation. When it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment of history,” the pope said.
Apart from the environment, Francis touched on several issues on the US political agenda in the run up to the November 2016 presidential election, such as immigration, inequality and religious freedom.
In an era of renewed racial tensions in the country, he invoked America’s best known civil rights leader, the late Rev. Martin Luther King, to make points about the environment and equality.
As Washington streets were closed and federal workers stayed home, about 15 000 people gathered in bright sunshine on the South Lawn. They heard the 78-year-old pope depart from his usual practice and give a speech in English.
Obama, whose plans for a climate change bill were thwarted in Congress early in his presidency, said he shared the pope’s concerns about the environment.
“Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet — God’s magnificent gift to us. We support your call to all world leaders to support the communities most vulnerable to a changing climate and to come together to preserve our precious world for future generations,” Obama said. — Reuters.
Online Reporter