Pope Francis expresses hope for COP29 climate summit, urges prayers for flood-hit Valencia residents

What you need to know

* Pope Francis expressed hope for the upcoming COP29 climate summit in his Sunday Angelus address. * He urged prayers for the victims of the recent floods in Valencia, Spain. * The Pope also called for a commitment to environmental protection and social justice.

What's the backstory?

* COP29, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from November 6-18, 2023. * The summit will bring together world leaders to discuss urgent action on climate change. * Valencia, Spain, was hit by severe flooding in October 2023, causing widespread damage and displacement.

What did Pope Francis say?

* In his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis expressed his hope for a successful COP29 summit. * "I pray that this important meeting may produce concrete results in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development," he said. * The Pope also urged prayers for the victims of the recent floods in Valencia. * "Let us pray for the victims of this calamity and for their families," he said. "Let us also pray for the rescue workers who are working tirelessly to help those in need." * Pope Francis has long been a vocal advocate for environmental protection and social justice. * In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si', he called for a global effort to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

What's the significance?

* Pope Francis's message of hope for COP29 is a reminder of the global importance of climate action. * His call for prayers for the victims of the floods in Valencia highlights the human toll of climate-related disasters. * The Pope's continued advocacy for environmental protection and social justice is a powerful voice for change.