NEW YORK, Sept. 25 (UPI) — Pope Francis connected disrespect for the environment to global poverty in a forceful speech before the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
In an address to the General Assembly in New York, including many heads of state, the pope, speaking in his native Spanish, linked care of the environment to respect for humanity.
“A true right of the environment does exist. Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity,” he said. “A selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity leads both to the misuse of available natural resources and to the exclusion of the weak and disadvantaged, either because they are differently abled — handicapped — or because they lack adequate information and technical expertise, or are incapable of decisive political action.
“The poorest are those who suffer most from such offenses, for three serious reasons: They are cast off by society, forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment. They are part of today’s widespread and quietly growing ‘culture of waste,'” Francis added.
The pope’s visit, part of a six-day trip to the United States, marks the opening of a U.N. development summit that will be followed by the annual debate next week bringing together rivals, some who rarely attend the General Assembly.
He condemned the world’s “culture of waste” and connected the destruction of the environment to human trafficking, organized crime and the marketing of narcotics and weapons. Francis, who after his election adopted the name of the patron saint of ecology, spoke forcefully about ravages on the environment, rejecting refugees and failing to protect people from mass atrocities, all transnational challenges that are not easily answered. His address was directed to the consciences of the listeners; the question remains if the world leaders will take heed.
“Lodging, labor and land” are human rights, he told the assembly, along with spiritual freedom which, by his measure, includes freedom of religion, access to education and human rights. On religion, he pointedly mentioned that “a right to education also is for girls, who are excluded in some places.”
He rarely mentioned Christianity, instead focusing on common spiritual demands that the environment must be preserved for mankind’s benefit. With references to international financial initiatives and care for innocents trapped in war and poverty, he set the Vatican’s agenda for its involvement in global affairs.
Prior to his General Assembly address, the pope briefly spoke to U.N. employees, honoring them for their work. He also presented a wreath in memory of U.N. workers killed in action. He is scheduled to take part in an inter-faith event at the 9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center complex, visit Harlem and Central Park and celebrate mass in Madison Square Garden.
He will attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia before flying back to Rome on Sunday.
