Pope Francis has announced his plans to travel to Dubai for a three-day visit coinciding with the Cop28 climate conference, where global leaders will converge to discuss pressing environmental issues. During an interview with Italian television channel RAI, the Argentine pontiff revealed that he would depart on December 1 and remain in Dubai until December 3. However, specific details of his itinerary and participation at the conference have not been disclosed at this time. 
In his interview, Pope Francis emphasized the urgency of addressing global warming, stating, “We are still in time to stop it. Our future is at stake, the future of our children and our grandchildren. A bit of responsibility is needed.” This commitment to environmental stewardship has been a central theme of his papacy.
Pope Francis’s visit to Dubai is scheduled just two weeks before his 87th birthday, and it comes after he faced health challenges, including abdominal surgery to repair a hernia and address intestinal scarring. When asked about his health, the Pope simply responded, “I’m alive.”
The Pope’s decision to visit Dubai underscores his unwavering commitment to environmental care and the need for immediate action to combat climate change. The Cop28 conference, set to commence on November 30 and extend until December 12, offers a significant platform for world leaders to collaborate on solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
This announcement follows King Charles III’s confirmation that he will deliver an opening speech at the Cop28 climate summit. The British monarch is scheduled to address global leaders during the opening ceremony on December 1 and hold meetings with regional leaders, according to a statement from a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman.