<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/Pope-Encyclical2.png" style="width: 691px; height: 800px;" /></a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank">ENGLISH</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank">FRENCH</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_20…; target="_blank">GERMAN</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_20…;|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank">SPANISH</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_20…; target="_blank">PORTUGUESE</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/Enciclica_Arabic…; target="_blank">ARABIC</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Pope Francis&rsquo; Encyclical is a definitive moral case for action on climate change.</strong>&nbsp;It is a teaching document that acknowledges, and stands in solidarity with the overwhelming scientific consensus, and vocalises what all know to be true: fossil fuels and unchecked exploitation of the natural world are irreversibly damaging our common home. Taking action on climate change and empowering poor countries to develop sustainably is both morally and economically right.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><strong>The Pope&rsquo;s Encyclical calls for an urgent moral response to a reality established by robust scientific evidence.</strong>&nbsp;It does not speculate on the causes of climate change itself. Pope Francis is doing his job as a moral leader, calling for the protection of vulnerable people and proper stewardship of &ldquo;our common home&rdquo;, the earth. He appropriately labels acts risking the integrity of our planet as &ldquo;sins&rdquo;, provides the environmental movement with a boost of moral support, and condemns indifference, denialism and obstructionism.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><strong>His Holiness is calling for all of us, not just Catholics, to care for people and the planet.</strong>&nbsp;The encyclical on ecology draws from the deep well of Church teaching on these issues to lay out the moral imperative of tackling the root causes of the greatest interlinked challenges of our time: climate change and poverty. The Pope is adding his voice to a global choir of leaders from all walks of life who are demanding action, calling for an end of fossil fuels, a future powered by renewables, and a strong climate deal in Paris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The World Bank says the pope&rsquo;s encyclical is a &ldquo;stark reminder&rdquo; of the link between climate change and poverty.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/the-latest-vatican-laun…; target="_blank">World Bank President Jim Yong Kim</a>&nbsp;says climate change impacts,&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;including the increased frequency of extreme weather events, are most devastating for the unacceptably high number of people today living in extreme poverty.&rdquo;</strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p>He says that over the past 30 years weather-related disasters killed more than 2.5 million people and resulted in almost $4 trillion in damage.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><strong>&ldquo;As the effects of climate change worsen, we know that escaping poverty will become even more difficult,&rdquo;&nbsp;</strong>he said. <strong>&ldquo;Climate change also poses a direct risk to the hard-earned development gains over past decades.&rdquo;</strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<h2><strong>Lord David Puttnam, Film Producer</strong></h2>

<p>[video:https://vimeo.com/139144698]</p&gt;

<h2><strong>Atom Egoyan, Filmmaker</strong></h2>

<p>[video:https://vimeo.com/139146662]</p&gt;

<h2><strong>Filmmakers: Bernardo Bertolucci, Pablo Trapero, Wim Wenders, Marc Forster, Bob Rafelson, and Fernando Meirelles</strong></h2>

<p>[video:https://vimeo.com/138504498]</p&gt;

<h2><strong>Climate Change Experts: Gavin Schmidt, Keving Anderson, Erik Conway, and Erick Fernandes</strong></h2>

<p>[video:https://vimeo.com/123352984]</p&gt;

<h2><strong>Rokia Traore, Malian Singer - songwriter</strong></h2>

<p>[video:https://vimeo.com/100912201]</p&gt;

<h2>Rachel Kyte, former&nbsp;Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change</h2>

<p>[video:https://vimeo.com/106751566]</p&gt;

<h2>Miguel Ángel Zotto, Argentinian Tango Dancer</h2>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-CivcsPNY]</p&gt;

<h2>Liya Kibede, International Supermodel &amp; Actress</h2>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is77Wx38oNo]</p&gt;

<h2>Livia Firth, Founder of the Green Carpet Challenge</h2>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJDri4OVpw]</p&gt;

<h2>Danny Huston, Actor &amp; Director</h2>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQwj3hF7lK0]</p&gt;

<h2>Taliana Vargas, Actress</h2>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6MSYM30Vpc]</p&gt;

<h2>Forest Whitaker, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador</h2>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W75LebWVVsk]</p&gt;