Climate crisis is 'challenge of civilisation', says pope

Pontiff calls on COP 25 leaders to show political will to safeguard healthy planet

The climate emergency is a "challenge of civilisation" requiring sweeping changes to economic systems, but political leaders have not done enough, the pope has said in a message to governments meeting at the annual climate summit in Madrid.

"We must seriously ask ourselves if there is the political will to allocate with honesty, responsibility and courage, more human, financial and technological resources [to the climate crisis]," he said, in the pontifical message, which was welcomed by activists.