Pope Francis wades into climate change ahead of Tacloban visit

Pope Francis travels to the central Philippines city of Tacloban on Saturday to pray for the dead and comfort the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the country’s worst natural disaster, which killed 6,300 people a little over a year ago. Speaking at the presidential palace on Friday, the Pope admired the “heroic strength, faith and resilience” shown by the country as well as the solidarity people demonstrated after the typhoon. Haiyan, which packed 250 kph winds and created a seven-meter high storm surge, wiped out or damaged practically everything in its path as it swept ashore on Nov. 8, 2013.

I don’t know if it is all (man’s fault) but the majority is. For the most part, it is man who continuously slaps down nature.

Pope Francis on whether he believes climate change is spurred on by humans

The Pope’s day trip to the coastal city 650 km southeast of Manila gives him another opportunity to speak about climate change ahead of a major document on the environment he is due to issue in June. Francis waded into the climate change debate on Thursday, telling reporters that he believed that man was primarily responsible for climate change and that he hoped this year’s U.N. climate meeting in Paris would take a courageous stand to protect the environment. The words were his clearest to date on climate change, which has sparked worldwide debate and even divided conservative and liberal Catholics, particularly in the United States.

Asia-Pacific