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Pope urges world to follow up on climate change deal


Pope Francis has urged the international community to urgently follow up on the path set by the climate deal reached in Paris.

Addressing pilgrims in St Peter's Square after the Angelus on Sunday, the Pope spoke about the Climate Change Conference (COP21) which concluded on Saturday in Paris with the signing of an agreement which, he said "many described as historic."

The Paris pact aims to curb global warming to around 1.5 Centigrade by the end of the century; it saw nearly 200 countries taking part in tense negotiations over two weeks to strike the first deal to commit all nations to cut emissions.

The Holy Father said: "With the hope that special attention for the most vulnerable populations is guaranteed, I urge the whole international community to proceed on the path undertaken in the name of an ever more effective solidarity."

Mentioning that on Tuesday, 15 December, the 10th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference will take place in Nairobi, Pope Francis urged participating nations at that conference to always take into account the needs of the poor when making decisions, and not to neglect the "legitimate aspirations of less developed nations, of the common good and of the whole human family."

The Pope also remarked on the fact that today sees the opening of Holy Doors in Cathedrals throughout the world so that the Jubilee of Mercy can be lived to the full by all.

He specifically spoke of the fact that 'Doors of Mercy' will be opened in places of poverty, need and marginalization and said he specially wanted to send his greetings to prison inmates across the globe.

Before the recitation of the Angelus Pope Francis had addressed the pilgrims in the Square saying that true conversion calls for a concrete commitment to justice and solidarity. Drawing inspiration from the day's Gospel, in which John the Baptist invites all to convert by sharing with the poor, the Pope said: "it is clear some attitudes of those in power have not changed and that a true conversion is needed."

"We must change direction and take the path of justice, solidarity, and sobriety: these are the essential values of a fully human and genuinely Christian life" he said.

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