Pope Francis addressed the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015. It was the fifth time that a Pope had addressed the United nations. The full text of his speech can be read here.
Pope Francis congratulated the UN on its 70th anniversary, praised its work for peace and cooperation, but noted that reform and adaptations are needed for more equitable participation in its decision-making processes such as the Security Council. Action for care of creation and the excluded was a key theme, along with the prevention of war and the need for nuclear disarmament. He sees all of these issues as interrelated.
Economic & Social Exclusion & the Environment are Linked
- How do you see connections between environmental destruction and social and economic marginalisation?
- How might care for creation and social inclusion be mutually supportive?
War Impacts People & the Planet
- What are some ways in which war is an assault on the environment, and how does this affect the possibility of integral human development?
- Might greater awareness of the impact of wars on actual persons help us to respond more effectively?
- How can we keep the human face of conflict before us?
Nuclear Disarmament
- Why do you think Pope Francis singled out the need for nuclear disarmament for particular attention?
Need for Action
- How might you encourage your own government, and other governments, to make the issues of environmental degradation and social and economic exclusion higher priorities?