On Thursday, April 20, Greater Manchester civic leaders and members of the faith community met with Pope Francis at The Vatican, to pledge a commitment to tackling climate change.
The group was led by Bishop of Salford John Arnold and Dean of Manchester Rogers Govender, and consisted of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Donna Ludford, David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, Gorton MP Mohammed Afzal Kahn and Chair of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership Mike Wilton. We gathered a number of reflections from the group after their audience with Pope Francis.
The Bishop of Manchester, The Right Reverend Prof. David Walker
Making our pledges in the presence of the Pope has given us a real boost in how our religious communities are going to play a key role, working with the Mayor and civic structures, to help us meet the ambitious net zero targets we know are needed.
The Dean of Manchester, The Very Revd Rogers Govender
The audience with Pope Francis was an opportunity to be inspired and blessed in our commitment through our promises to work together with politicians and faith communities to address issues of climate change as well as other social justice issues in our society. The Holy Father gave us his blessing and we return home inspired and renewed to work together for the common good.
The Revd Grace Thomas, Vicar in the Parish of Clifton, and Diocesan Environment Officer
Journeying to Rome for such a special occasion as part of a large and diverse Greater Manchester delegation enabled partnerships to be formed that will, I am sure, enable real, effective and sustainable action in the field of creation care and climate action. We spent a lot of time sharing ideas and ways in which we could collaborate further and this gives me a lot of hope for the work we will be able to do in Manchester, particularly in meeting our ambitious net zero targets. The meeting with the Holy Father was the central feature of the trip and a deeply moving, inspiring and spiritual experience. Shared, as it was, with such a diverse group made it all the more special.
Bishop David Walker also sent us a message from The Vatican on the morning of his visit
Media Coverage
Region's leaders meet Pope for climate pledge - BBC News
Delegation off to the Vatican to tell Pope: this is how we are tackling climate change in Manchester - Religion Media Centre
Greater Manchester leaders commit to climate pledge in meeting with Pope Francis in Rome - About Manchester
Greater Manchester leaders pledge climate action in meeting with Pope - Laudato Si' Centre
Audience with a delegation of “Interfaith Leaders from Greater Manchester”, Great Britain, 20.04.2023 - Holy See Press Office, Vatican City
The trip also garnered national attention after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham presented Pope Francis with a signed shirt from Manchester United player Lisandro Martínez, an Argentinian international who was part of the world cup winning team in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.