Dear brothers and sisters!

I offer you cordial greetings and I am very sorry that I cannot be with you. I have entrusted to Cardinal Parolin the words that I wanted to address to you. Above all, I would like to say “thank you”: thank you because for the first time you have established a religious pavilion as part of a COP. Thank you because this testifies to the willingness to work together. At the present time the world needs alliances that are not against someone, but in favour of everyone. It is important that religions, without falling into the trap of syncretism, set a good example by working together: not for their own interests or those of one party, but for the interests of our world. Among these, the most important nowadays are peace and the climate.

As religious representatives, let us set an example to show that change is possible and bear witness to respectful and sustainable lifestyles. With a loud voice, let us implore leaders of nations that our common home be preserved. In particular, young people and the poor, whose prayers reach the throne of the Most High, ask this of us. For their future and the future of all, let us safeguard creation and protect our common home; let us live in peace and promote peace! Thank you.