International News

Pope Francis Will not Attend Climate Summit in Glasgow

October 8, 2021
A woman holds a placard as Extinction Rebellion climate activists take part in a protest at Ducketts Common in London Aug. 29, 2021. Pope Francis will not be attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November; Cardinal Pietro Parolin will head the Vatican delegation. (Photo: CNS/Tom Nicholson, Reuters)

By Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will not be going to the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, as he had hoped.

The Vatican released a statement Oct. 8 saying the Holy See delegation for the COP26 summit Oct. 31-Nov. 12 would be led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Pope Francis will not be attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November; Cardinal Pietro Parolin will head the Vatican delegation. (Photo: CNS/United Nations)

A Vatican source said that the fact that Cardinal Parolin was leading the delegation meant the pontiff would not be going.

During an interview with COPE, the radio network owned by the Spanish bishops’ conference, broadcast Sept. 1, the Holy Father was asked if he would be at the climate summit.

The pontiff said, “Yes, in principle the program is that I go. It all depends on how I feel at the time. But in fact, my speech is already being prepared, and the plan is to be there.”

The Vatican gave no further details Oct. 8.