The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change came into force in 1995 with the ultimate goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions and placing the onus on developed countries to take the lead. This year’s climate change conference was held in the United Arab Emirates and ended on December 12. Although Pope Francis’ planned attendance at COP28 had to be canceled due to health reasons, his message to world leaders was powerful and important. In his message, which Cardinal Parolin read on December 3, he spoke of the "obligation to protect our common home," of the "voracious illusion that is devastating our planet." According to Pope Francis, our insensitivity and self-interest lead us to "destroy the very sources of life." He emphasizes that climate change is also a religious problem, since the root of the problem lies in the assumption of human self-sufficiency, which does not consider the world and the environment as a gift given to us by the Creator. (timesofmalta.com)