Yesterday afternoon Pope Francis received Al Gore. The former Vice President of the United States is in Rome for the three-day summit of his association Climate Reality Project. The meeting took place privately in the Santa Marta residence.
With the pontiff were Father Enzo Fortunato, coordinator of World Children's Day, and his deputy, Aldo Cagnoli; with Al Gore was the director of Green & Blue, Riccardo Luna. Gore highly praised the pope for the impact his encyclical Laudato Sì had on the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 and for the recent apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum. Pope Francis thanked Gore for the ‘climate concern’ that has always animated his political activity.
Gore said the Vatican is also an example of ecological transition in deeds, citing the recent announcement of a mega agri-voltaic plant in Santa Maria Galeria. Al Gore and the Holy Father agreed on the need to accelerate the transition despite resistance from large fossil fuel companies and discussed possible forms of collaboration to try to have a greater impact on public opinion.
After the meeting with the pope, Al Gore visited St. Peter's Basilica and met H.Em. Card. Archpriest Mauro Gambetti. ‘Al Gore has pledged to contribute to the next World Children's Day, scheduled for 2026, and to the important stage of the Jubilee 2025,’ the Director of Communication of St. Peter's Papal Basilica in the Vatican, Father Enzo Fortunato, announced.
After the meeting with the pope, Al Gore visited St. Peter's Basilica and met H.Em. Card. Archpriest Mauro Gambetti. ‘Al Gore has pledged to contribute to the next World Children's Day, scheduled for 2026, and to the important stage of the Jubilee 2025,’ the Director of Communication of St. Peter's Papal Basilica in the Vatican, Father Enzo Fortunato, announced.