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Pope Francis encyclical calls for end to fossil fuels Pope Francis encyclical calls for end to fossil fuels
(about 1 hour later)
The Pope has issued an encyclical, calling for fossil fuels to be "progressively replaced without delay".The Pope has issued an encyclical, calling for fossil fuels to be "progressively replaced without delay".
Pope Francis urges the richer world to make changes in lifestyle and energy consumption to avert the unprecedented destruction of the ecosystem.Pope Francis urges the richer world to make changes in lifestyle and energy consumption to avert the unprecedented destruction of the ecosystem.
Environmentalists hope the message will spur on nations ahead of the UN climate conference in Paris in December.Environmentalists hope the message will spur on nations ahead of the UN climate conference in Paris in December.
But parts of the document, leaked earlier this week, have already been criticised by some US conservatives.But parts of the document, leaked earlier this week, have already been criticised by some US conservatives.
It has been dismissed by a Republican presidential candidate, Jeb Bush. It has been dismissed by two Republican presidential candidates.
Humans to blameHumans to blame
The encyclical, named "Laudato Si (Be Praised), On the Care of Our Common Home", aims to inspire everyone - not just Roman Catholics - to protect the Earth.The encyclical, named "Laudato Si (Be Praised), On the Care of Our Common Home", aims to inspire everyone - not just Roman Catholics - to protect the Earth.
The 192-page document, which is the highest level of teaching document a pope can issue, lays much of the blame for global warming on human activities. The 192-page letter, which is the highest level teaching document a pope can issue, lays much of the blame for global warming on human activities.
The Pope writes that: "We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. Pope Francis writes that: "We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will.
"The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life.""The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life."
He criticises what he calls a "collective selfishness", but says that there is still time to stop the damage, calling for an end to consumerism and greed.
'Moral approach'
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi launched the pontiff's second encyclical at a news conference on Thursday.
The teaching is more evidence of a pontiff determined to act as a catalyst for change, and a powerful diplomatic player on the world stage, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt.
The release comes six months before international leaders gather in Paris to try to seal a deal to reduce carbon emissions.
It has been widely welcomed by environmental groups, with WWF president Yolanda Kakabadse saying it "adds a much-needed moral approach'' to the debate on climate change.
Greenpeace leader Kumi Naidoo highlighted passages calling for policies that reduce carbon emissions, including by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.
But a leak of the document, published by Italy's L'Espresso magazine on Tuesday, got a frosty response from sceptical conservatives in America, including two Roman Catholic presidential candidates.
Jeb Bush said he did not get his economic policy from his bishops, cardinals or pope - so why his policy on the environment?
Meanwhile Rick Santorum questioned whether the Pope was credible on the issue of climate science.
Will Pope sway Americans? - Roger Harrabin, BBC News environment analystWill Pope sway Americans? - Roger Harrabin, BBC News environment analyst
The UN's climate change chief Christiana Figueres says the Pope's message will influence talks in Paris this year on a deal to tackle global warming.The UN's climate change chief Christiana Figueres says the Pope's message will influence talks in Paris this year on a deal to tackle global warming.
Developing countries are demanding firmer promises of financial help from rich countries so they can adapt to inevitable changes in the climate and get clean energy to avoid contributing to further warming.Developing countries are demanding firmer promises of financial help from rich countries so they can adapt to inevitable changes in the climate and get clean energy to avoid contributing to further warming.
Ms Figueres said their position would be strengthened by the Pope's insistence that this was the clear moral responsibility of the rich.Ms Figueres said their position would be strengthened by the Pope's insistence that this was the clear moral responsibility of the rich.
The encyclical will be welcomed by poor countries in Africa and Latin America.The encyclical will be welcomed by poor countries in Africa and Latin America.
The big question is how it will play in the USA, where it has already been dismissed by a Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, who is a Catholic.The big question is how it will play in the USA, where it has already been dismissed by a Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, who is a Catholic.
Leading Republicans have warned the UN that they will undo President Obama's climate policies - so if the encyclical sways any of the conservative Catholics in Congress that could prove significant. Leading Republicans have warned the UN that they will undo President Barack Obama's climate policies - so if the encyclical sways any of the conservative Catholics in Congress that could prove significant.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi launched the pontiff's second encyclical at a news conference on Thursday.
He was forced to issue a statement two days earlier after a draft of the document was published by Italy's L'Espresso magazine, saying it was not the final text.
The official release comes six months before international leaders gather in Paris to try to seal a deal to reduce carbon emissions.
The teaching is more evidence of a pontiff determined to act as a catalyst for change, and a powerful diplomatic player on the world stage, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt.
But a leak of the document met with a frosty response from sceptical conservatives in America, including two Roman Catholic presidential candidates, our correspondent adds.
One, Jeb Bush, said he did not get his economic policy from his bishops, cardinals or pope - so why his policy on the environment?
Meanwhile Rick Santorum questioned whether the Pope was credible on the issue of climate science.
Themes of the encyclical:
The intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet
The conviction that everything in the world is connected
The critique of new paradigms and forms of power derived from technology
The call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress
The value proper to each creature
The human meaning of ecology
The need for forthright and honest debate
The serious responsibility of international and local policies
The throwaway culture and the proposal of a new lifestyle