Ecorazzi

I have to be honest. I was not a big fan of Pope Benedict XVI when he took over for the rock star Pope John Paul II. He seemed a little too conservative, somewhat frail, and I dared think a bit out of touch with social culture. I’m reversing course.

According to sources, the Pope is expected to use his first speech to the United Nations “to deliver a powerful warning over climate change in a move to adopt protection of the environment as a “moral” cause for the Catholic Church and its billion-strong following.” He’s likely to push for sustainable development, saying earlier in the month that there “is pressing need for science and religion to work together to safeguard the gifts of nature and to promote responsible stewardship”.

We’re talking about a guy who influences about 19% of the world’s population. We can’t even get President Bush to appeal to his base to conserve and protect — but the Pope has no such reservations about getting the good word out. No more of this “God gave us the Earth to do with as we please” crap. If the White House is so concerned about “moral obligations”, it’s time to add a new one to the list. The Pope is watching.