Pope Francis urged action on climate change in a new letter on Wednesday, criticizing the U.S. for its high emissions compared to China. He wrote, “The world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.” While calling the U.S. “irresponsible,” Pope Francis praised the U.S. Catholic bishops for supporting his previous environmental papal letter. He is hopeful that binding commitments will result from the next U.N. climate talks to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November. Pope Francis faces backlash from conservative Catholics over secular viewpoints, including his ambiguity regarding same-sex marriages amidst the ongoing “Synod of Sonality,” a Catholic leadership meeting that discusses interpretation of Catholic values.
