Coronavirus pandemic could be nature’s response to climate change —Pope Francis

The Vatican on Wednesday, said the Covid-19 pandemic could be one of nature’s responses to man’s neglect of climate change.

Speaking in an email interview on Wednesday with the British Catholic journalist, Austen Ivereigh, Pope Francis said:
“We did not respond to the partial catastrophes. Who now speaks of the fires in Australia, or remembers that 18 months ago a boat could cross the North Pole because the glaciers had all melted? Who speaks now of the floods?”

Speaking on the pandemic he said: “I don’t know if these are the revenge of nature, but they are certainly nature’s responses.”

The Pope faulted the rise of populist politicians, who he said were more focused on the effect of the pandemic to their economy than on the lives of people and gave speeches like “Hitler”.

Read also: CORONAVIRUS: New York records 731 new deaths, as Wuhan travel ban ends

“I am worried by the hypocrisy of certain political personalities who speak of facing up to the crisis, of the problem of hunger in the world, but who in the meantime manufacture weapons,” he said

“Today I believe we have to slow down our rate of production and consumption and to learn to understand and contemplate the natural world”, he added

He further urged the people to utilize the lockdown period by finding creative ways to stay at home. “Take care of yourselves for a future that will come,” Francis said.

Meanwhile, a total of 17,127 people have died from the virus in Italy, while 135,586 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak started in February 21.

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