The Vatican has confirmed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin will replace Pope Francis at the COP28 climate summit. The Vatican Secretary of State will deliver the address on behalf of the Pope on December 2 and the following day, he will inaugurate the "Faith Pavilion" at the global meeting.
Cardinal Parolin will be accompanied by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso.
Pope Francis had wanted his presence to help support and relaunch the ambitious 2015 Paris agreement. The UN Secretary General's words addressed that mission as the summit began.
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
Secretary-General, United Nations
We have the roadmap to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the worst of climate chaos.
President Joe Biden will not be present, but he sent Vice-President Kamala Harris and John Kerry, the special envoy for the climate, in his place.
The COP28 summit will continue for almost two weeks and some decisions have already been made, such as the creation of a fund to help countries in need that do not have the resources to deal with the consequences of extreme weather events.
JRB
TR: KG
