The Pope has urged governments to prioritize the battle against climate change before national interests

Pope Francis encouraged global leaders attending the United Nations climate talks in Dubai (COP28) on Sunday to go beyond their national interests and immediately commit to the political changes required to combat climate change. The pope called for "concrete political changes" to keep the planet's climate from spinning dangerously out of control in remarks projected from his official residence onto large screens in Rome's Saint Peter's Square. "We need to go beyond the constraints of specific interests and nationalities, the models of the past, and embrace a common vision," Francis said in a written statement read out by an assistant. The 86-year-old is suffering from a lung illness that has made it difficult for him to breathe, and he canceled his travel to the United Nations climate meeting being held by the oil-rich United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.