In virtual meeting with Bill Clinton, pope urges response to climate change, war

Sheri Walsh
·3 min read
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Former President of the United States Bill Clinton speaks with His Holiness Pope Francis remotely Monday at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 in New York City, as the pope urged unity in the world to tackle climate change "before it's too late." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
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Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Pope Francis called for stronger measures to protect children, stop war and tackle climate change as he urged the world to "take action before it's too late" in comments Monday during a virtual conversation with former President Bill Clinton in New York City.

Pope Francis was one of several guests at the Clinton Foundation's Clinton Global Initiative 2023 meeting, where he spoke about his involvement with Bambino Gesù pediatric hospital.

"It is necessary to share thoughts on how to contribute to the common good and how not to leave behind the most vulnerable people, such as children who, through the Bambino Gesù Foundation, are at the root of our meeting," the pope told the former president.

"It is important to spread a culture of encounter, a culture of dialogue, a culture of listening and of understanding," Pope Francis said.

"We are living through a changing epoch," the pope added. "Only together can we emerge from it better. Together. Only together can we heal the world from the globalization of indifference."

Former President Bill Clinton makes comments Monday at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City, where he said he "was honored to speak with His Holiness Pope Francis." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Former President Bill Clinton makes comments Monday at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City, where he said he "was honored to speak with His Holiness Pope Francis." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

It was a message that resonated with Clinton.

"I was honored to speak with His Holiness Pope Francis this morning at CGI2023," Clinton wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "As he said, only by working together can we heal the world."

Former President Bill Clinton makes comments Monday at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 in New York City where he met virtually with Pope Francis. The two discussed the need to protect children, tackle climate change and end war. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Former President Bill Clinton makes comments Monday at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 in New York City where he met virtually with Pope Francis. The two discussed the need to protect children, tackle climate change and end war. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

"You, Mr. President, have listed the many challenges of our time: climate change, humanitarian crises affecting migrants and refugees and childcare and many others," Pope Francis said.

"I would like to add to this, the wind of war that blows around the world fueling with the spirit of war, what I have repeatedly called the Third World War, but peaceful," the pope added. "We are in need of a great and shared assumption of responsibility."

Pope Francis called for unity, instead of conflict and indifference when it comes to solving climate change and other world problems.

"Please, please let us stop while there is still time. It's time to face migration emergencies. Remembering that we are not talking about numbers, but about people: men, women and children," the pope urged.

"Therein lies our challenge, fighting selfishness, narcissism, division with generosity and humility," he said. "It's time to work together to stop the ecological catastrophe before it's too late."