Pope Francis urged world leaders on Friday to respond to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic by fundamentally changing « the way we organize our …
Pope Francis urged world leaders on Friday to respond to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic by fundamentally changing « the way we organize our societies, » but there was little word from the White House on the substance of the pontiff’s 90-minute private meeting with President Biden. The White House press pool, in fact, excoriated the White House for cutting off access to the meeting after the Vatican cut off a live broadcast of the summit. Biden offered few details afterward, telling media that Francis told him he should keep receiving communion and they didn’t talk about abortion. « We just talked about the fact that he was happy I’m a good Catholic, » Biden said. « And I should keep receiving communion. » Biden also said he gave the pope a « challenge coin » that presidents traditionally give to « warriors and leaders, » telling Francis, « You are the most significant warrior for peace I’ve ever met, and I’d like to be able to give you a coin. » On Friday, Francis, in an audio message broadcast by the BBC in preparation for the launch of the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow on Sunday, said « climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed our deep vulnerability and raised numerous doubts and concerns about our economic systems and the way we organize our societies. » He urged world leaders to make « radical decisions that are not always easy » and put plans « rapidly into action, to rethink the future of the world, our common home, and to reassess our common purpose.
