Pope Francis’ Green Message Will Be ‘Well-Received and Echoed,’ Holy Cross Religious Studies Professor Tells BBC Radio

Pope Francis, in an exclusive message shared by the BBC World Service radio, recently urged world leaders participating in a United Nations climate summit in Scotland to consider radical action in response to the global climate crisis.

Mathew Schmalz, professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, spoke to the hosts of BBC's flagship news program "Newshour" about the Pope's message and the importance of climate change for Catholics worldwide. 

A founding editor of the Journal of Global Catholicism, Schmalz believes that the Pope's climate message can really make a difference on how Catholics throughout the world feel and think about climate change. 

"Climate change is an important issue especially because the gravity of the Catholic Church has most definitely shifted to the Global South and, of course, countries in the Global South are often disproportionately affected by climate change," said Schmalz. "So within that context, I think the Pope’s words will be well-received and echoed."

Schmalz is an experienced voice in the media, providing expert commentary in The Washington Post and Newsweek, along with appearing in documentaries on A&E and &feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vice.

To listen to the interview, go to BBC.co.uk.