Pope Francis' Letter on Climate Change Leaked Early

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jun 16, 2015

Pope Francis' Letter on Climate Change Leaked Early

An encyclical letter written by Pope Francis regarding climate change has been leaked early. Christian Today reports that the letter was to be sent out to 5,000 bishops worldwide on Thursday, June 18, but an Italian magazine printed a draft of the papal letter ahead of time. 

The letter calls for a change in people’s lifestyles to save the environment from destruction. L’Espresso magazine claims that Pope Francis will also request a new global political authority to govern pollution reduction. 

The leaked letter reads, "Humanity is called to take note of the need for changes in lifestyle and changes in methods of production and consumption to combat this warning, or at least the human causes that produce and accentuate it.” 

"Numerous scientific studies indicate that the greater part of the global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases... given off above all because of human activity.” 

The letter is directed toward climate change naysayers, including U.S. Republicans. 

Publication date: June 16, 2015



Pope Francis' Letter on Climate Change Leaked Early