- Title: Christians waiting for Pope Francis urge world to take care of God-given planet
- Date: 4th August 2023
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (AUGUST 4, 2023)(REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF PILGRIM WAITING FOR THE 'STAGES OF THE CROSS' WITH POPE FRANCIS MAN SPRAYING PILGRIMS WRAPPED IN THE SPANISH FLAG WITH WATER VARIOUS OF SISTER ISABELA WAVING A BRAZILIAN FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SISTER ISABELA, SAYING: “God created everything for us too, we need to take care of it, and we need to avoid wasting materials. Recycle whenever we can, avoid wasting water, and look after our trees. Here (the park) is so beautiful, with so much nature and it needs to be preserved.†(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEACON FROM U.S JOHN PAUL, SAYING: "We're all called to take care of the home that we live in. But ultimately, we have to realize that the home that we live in is created by God. And so that deserves our respect as well." VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS CHEERING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ANDREIA MIRANDA, SAYING: "Many young people know what recycling is, they talk about recycling, but they don't recycle. There is a lot that we talk about and don't do, but we can start doing it. Water saving and recycling are essential. If we do that, all of us who are here, we can make a big change." PILGRIM FROM NIGERIA FELIX OKUESA AND HIS FAMILY WAITING FOR THE STATES OF THE CROSS TO BEGIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) FELIX OKUESA, SAYING: "We should be self-conscious of how we burn fossil fuels. We should go into electric cars and the rest. Fossil fuel should go down because it's burning the climate and the ozone layer. The heat coming down is enough to melt a whole generation of human beings." YOUNG PILGRIMS WAVING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRIEST JOHNNY DELGADO, SAYING: "What touched my heart the most was the Pope's call to each one of us. Jesus calls us by our names. Each one has a story; each one has an answer to offer to Jesus and all must be affirmative because the Lord is calling us. He knocks at the door, and we cannot say no to him. Our heart beats and vibrates when we see and listen to him." PILGRIMS WITH FAN VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS RESTING PILGRIM WAITING FOR THE STAGES OF THE CROSS TO BEGIN
- Embargoed: 18th August 2023 17:25
- Keywords: Catholic youth Charities Pope Francis Portugal WYD Worth Youth Day global warming pollution
- Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- City: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Europe,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001209703082023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Bracing for a sweltering weekend in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, worried christian faithfuls called on Friday (August 4) for more government action to tackle climate change as they waited for Pope Francis.
The Pope was due to preside over the Stations of the Cross ceremony in a park on the third day of World Youth Day events in Portugal.
The young catholics baking in the sun at Edward VII park said everyone needed to take care of the planet that God had given them by ditching fossil fuels, recycling and saving water.
Extreme weather in July has caused havoc across the planet, with record temperatures in China, the United States and southern Europe sparking forest fires, water shortages and a rise in heat-related hospital admissions.
Portugal has escaped the recent heatwave that caused deaths and destruction across southern Europe but temperatures are expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 41 in Lisbon on Sunday, the last day of the week-long World Youth Day that kicked off on Tuesday (August 1).
(Production: Miguel Pereira, Patricia Rua, Silvio Castellanos) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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