Pope Francis
said Monday "why do they tarry in becoming aware of the effects
of climate change? A phrase from the Old Testament comes to me,
from the Psalm: 'Man is stupid'."
Speaking at a press conference on his return from a trip to
Colombia, Francis said: "he is stubborn".
"Pride...and Mammon too. So many things, so many decisions,
so many contradictions depend on money.
The pontiff said that those who deny climate change "should
go to the scientists and ask them.
"They speak very clearly, the scientists are precise.
"You can see the effects of climate change and scientists
clearly tells us the path to pursue.
"And we all have a responsibility, all of us".
In other remarks, Francis said he approved of the Italian
government's line on migrants and Libya.
"A government must manage this problem with the primary
virtue of a governor, that is prudence. What does that mean.
First: how many places do I have? Second: not only receive, but
integrate".
On migrant conditions in Libya, he said "I have the
impression that the Italian government is doing its all, for
humanitarian work, to resolve problems it cannot take on
(personally)".
Francis said he was "grateful" to both Italy and Greece for
"opening their hearts" on the migrant issue, and said he had
seen "very beautiful examples of integration" in Italy.
Asked if an early August meeting with Premier Paolo Gentiloni
might explain the Vatican's less unfavourable stance towards the
government's migrant-traffic crackdown, Francis said the
encounter was "a personal one and not on that (issue)".
In other remarks, the pontiff said: "those who are corrupt
can't ask for forgiveness"; US President Donald Trump should not
split up migrant families; that he had been moved by the "joy,
tenderness and nobility" of the Colombian people; and that he
"did not understand" the North Korea crisis.
He also said that the Holy See had spoken "loud and clear"
about the Venezuela crisis, saying that "what is most painful is
the humanitarian problem".
As for the Popemobile accident that left him with a bruise
next to his eye and a plaster on his forehead, the pope said "I
leaned out towards the kids, didn't see the glass, and bang!"
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