When President Ronald Reagan removed the solar panels that his predecessor, Jimmy Carter, had installed at the White House, it was a symbolic turning point for U.S. climate policy. The removal of those solar panels signaled a return to business as usual, i.e., burning more fossil fuels and hastening a growing climate crisis.

This situation bears striking resemblance to what is happening in the Vatican, where Pope Francis, who passed away recently, had made a compelling spiritual and moral case for protecting the environment through his landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’.

The encyclical, written by Bill McKibben as “arguably the most important piece of writing so far this millennium,” called for world leaders to set aggressive global-heating targets and inspired the Laudato Si’ Movement, a network of hundreds of Catholic groups dedicated to environmental protection and justice.

Pope Francis continued to return to this theme throughout his papacy, expressing dismay at the lack of progress made towards the Paris accord.

Since then, the U.S. government has taken a turn for the worse, with President Donald Trump rejecting climate science and clean-energy funding, and Vice President JD Vance’s shifting stance on climate, making him an even more extreme anti-environmentalist.

Despite this, Pope Francis had made significant strides in promoting environmental protection and justice, as seen in his recent encyclical, Laudate Deum.

A notable example of this was the construction of an agrivoltaic solar array on land outside Rome, intended to provide power for the Vatican’s radio station and the entire city-state, potentially making it “the first nation powered entirely by the sun,” according to McKibben.

The Vatican has displayed new solar panels on its museum roof, further showcasing the church’s commitment to renewable energy.

The upcoming conclave to select the next pope will be a closely contested battle between traditionalists and reformers who share Pope Francis’ commitment to environmental protection.

In this sense, Vatican politics can be likened to regular politics, with its own liberal-conservative divide.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the choice of the next pope could be a pivotal moment.

The current crop of world leaders seems to be retreating from climate activism, embracing a cynical climate “realism.”

In contrast, the Catholic Church can provide a powerful moral voice for action on climate change.

By electing a pope who is deeply committed to environmental protection and justice, the Church can help to galvanize global efforts to combat climate change.

A pope who ignores the climate crisis could do significant harm, not only to the environment but also to the Church’s legacy.

The loss of this moral voice would be a tragic blow to the fight against climate change.

As the world looks to the Catholic Church for guidance on environmental issues, it is essential that the next pope is chosen from among those who share Pope Francis’ commitment to protecting the planet.

The construction of agrivoltaic solar arrays and the display of new solar panels on the Vatican’s museum roof are just a few examples of the Church’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

These initiatives demonstrate the Church’s willingness to take bold action on climate change and to promote sustainable development.

In the end, the choice of the next pope will have far-reaching implications for the fight against climate change.

As we look to the future, it is clear that the Catholic Church can make a significant contribution to the global effort to combat climate change.

By electing a pope who is deeply committed to environmental protection and justice, the Church can provide a powerful moral voice for action on climate change, inspiring others to take bold action to protect the planet.

This would be a fitting tribute to Pope Francis, who had made a compelling case for the urgent need to protect the environment through his landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’.

In conclusion, the choice of the next pope will be a crucial moment in the fight against climate change.

The Catholic Church has a unique opportunity to provide a powerful moral voice for action on climate change, and it is essential that the next pope is chosen from among those who share Pope Francis’ commitment to environmental protection and justice.

By doing so, the Church can help to galvanize global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

The future of the planet depends on it.