In a recent interview with TG1, Pope Francis confirmed speculations about his second visit to the United Arab Emirates to address the COP28 on climate matters.
Pope Francis has affirmed his plans to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, coinciding with COP28, the United Nations-organized Conference of the Parties aimed at combating climate change. The conference is scheduled to take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12. This announcement marks the Pope’s forthcoming return to the United Arab Emirates, where he signed the Declaration for Human Fraternity in 2019. The news emerged from an almost hour-long interview granted to TG1, which aired on the evening of November 1st.
During the interview, Pope Francis delved into various issues, including the conflict in the Holy Land, advocating for peace in Ukraine while acknowledging the justifications of the Ukrainian populace, discussing priestly celibacy, and reaffirming his stance against the ordination of women. His comments are reflective of the underlying sentiments prevalent in his speeches and literary works, which often draw criticism for being conservative.
However, the focal point of the interview was his anticipated trip to Dubai. Despite the circulating rumors and numerous confirmations about the feasibility of the Pope’s trip, no dates had been set until now. Pope Francis disclosed the dates: from December 1 to 3, spanning three days. In the course of the interview, he revisited the genesis of the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, inspired by the French Environment Minister, Segolene Royale, who had encouraged him to compose a document ahead of COP21 in Paris. Pope Francis observed that Laudato Si was published “before Paris” and regarded the Paris summit as “the most successful of all,” lamenting that “post-Paris, the world regressed, and it now requires courage to progress.”
Pope Francis, who recently released Laudate Deum as an update to Laudato Si in anticipation of COP28, shared an alarming example: a Pacific island nation is procuring land in Samoa to relocate its population because it will cease to exist in twenty years due to rising sea levels. Despite the urgency, he expressed skepticism about the world’s acknowledgment and response to this looming crisis, stating, “We are still in time to stop ourselves.”
The conversation also touched upon contentious topics debated during the Synod. The issue of women’s ordination was revisited, with Pope Francis maintaining his theological, not administrative, objection to it. He emphasized that the Church increasingly involves women in governance roles within the Vatican. However, he underscored two foundational principles: “the Petrine principle of jurisdiction and the more paramount Marian principle; the Church is a bride, not male, it is female, and the influence of the female Church surpasses that of male ministers. Mary is more pivotal than Peter.”
Pope Francis differentiated his stance on celibacy, suggesting that while Eastern Catholic Church priests might benefit from a review of celibacy rules, altering these provisions would not resolve the vocation crisis. He attributed part of the crisis to what he termed “bachelor spirituality.”
Addressing the inclusion of homosexuals in the Church, Pope Francis stressed the Church’s all-embracing nature, welcoming everyone without prejudice. He distinguished between individuals and organizations, asserting that “the Church’s doors are open to all who seek baptism.”
The Pope also broached the ongoing conflict in Gaza, deeming every war a failure. He spoke of the necessity for coexistence between two peoples in the Holy Land, advocating for a pragmatic solution involving two distinct states with a specially governed Jerusalem.
Despite acknowledging various global conflicts, Pope Francis pointed out that the arms industry bears significant responsibility for ongoing strife, stating, “The greater responsibility lies with the arms industry.”
Concluding the interview, Pope Francis reflected on personal matters, sharing anecdotes about his last visit to the beach, his surprise preference for soccer player Pelé over Messi and Maradona, and reminiscing about a past romance from his youth.
