Pope Francis and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have joined forces to declare that there is "overwhelming scientific evidence regarding human-induced climate change," while expressing hope that the world has the means to reverse rising temperatures. The statement emerged April 28 from the highest level meeting on an environmental issue ever at the Vatican, a one-day event that also included 100 scientists, business leaders, diplomats, development experts and religious leaders. The meeting could help set the stage for a much-anticipated papal encyclical on climate change, expected to be released in June (38 INER, see related story, 5/6/15). A papal encyclical is considered an important, official teaching document directly from the pope to Roman Catholics worldwide. While Francis and other pontiffs have advocated for the environment in the past, a papal encyclical would elevate climate change to an unprecedented level in the church.
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