{"id":324571,"date":"2024-04-29T15:08:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T13:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=324571"},"modified":"2024-04-29T15:08:03","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T13:08:03","slug":"pontifical-pronouncements-a-case-study-in-climate-change-dogma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=324571","title":{"rendered":"Pontifical Pronouncements: A Case Study in Climate Change Dogma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an interview that saw Pope Francis grace the screens of American television, a curious fusion of religious authority and climatological commentary was on full display. Speaking from the Vatican, the Pope tackled a variety of topics, but none seemed to ignite his fervor quite like the topic of climate change, where he promptly labeled skeptics as \u201cfools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s unpack the nature of this discourse, starting with the Pope\u2019s assertion. By dubbing climate change deniers as \u201cfoolish,\u201d the Pope effectively shuts down the critical, scientific inquiry that is the bedrock of robust scientific discourse. Such a dismissal, especially coming from a religious leader, applies the import of religious dogma to a secular issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13347387\/Pope-Francis-uses-TV-interview-slam-climate-change-deniers.html<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

The often \u2018progressive\u2019 pontiff spoke with CBS News\u2019 Norah O\u2019Donnell at the Vatican this week to give his thoughts on violence in Ukraine<\/a> and Gaza<\/a> and other important subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, he made a pointed effort to express his displeasure with those who deny climate change when asked what he says to those who deny it by O\u2019Donnell.
\u2026
\u2018They don\u2019t understand the situation or because of their interest, but climate change exists,\u2019 he added.https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13347387\/Pope-Francis-uses-TV-interview-slam-climate-change-deniers.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The CBS interview also touched on broader global issues like conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, yet it was the climate change segment that resonated most strongly with the Pontif. While expressing concerns about violence and the plight of children in war zones\u2014serious issues\u2014the pontifical leap to decry climate skepticism smacks of misplaced priorities of fanaticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further compounding the issue, the Pope\u2019s comments arrive alongside a chorus of alarming declarations from various scientific bodies, like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which claims that climate change indicators are \u201coff the charts\u201d and that humanity faces a \u201cdefining challenge.\u201d These statements are typically accompanied by dire warnings from the United Nations Secretary-General about \u201cchart-busting\u201d changes. However, what often goes unchallenged in these dramatized assertions is the underlying data\u2019s reliability, the models\u2019 accuracy, and the feasibility of proposed solutions like massive economic overhauls and energy transformations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics and skeptics often raise valid concerns regarding the economic and social impacts of drastic climate policies proposed in reports and by policymakers. For instance, the push towards net-zero emissions and the implementation of policies akin to the Green New Deal have profound implications on energy costs, economic stability, and even food security, particularly in developing nations. These are not trivial trade-offs and warrant far more discussion than the binary good-versus-evil narrative often portrayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pope\u2019s foray into climate advocacy also highlights a significant overreach of moral authority into scientific realms, where empirical evidence should guide policy, not moral compulsion. While his position purports to galvanize action by framing climate change as a moral crisis, it dangerously simplifies a vastly complex issue, potentially alienating those on the fence rather than engaging in constructive dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the media\u2019s slobbering coverage of the event, this reflects a broad trend in media to champion causes that fit a particular ideological slant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labeling dissenters as \u201cfools\u201d not only stifles legitimate debate but also alienates a significant portion of the global population who remain skeptical of climate change dogma. More nuance and analytically rigorous approaches are essential for genuine progress in all things as a society. This involves acknowledging the uncertainties, engaging with critics constructively, and most importantly, preserving the spirit of inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H\/T Willie Soon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In an interview that saw Pope Francis grace the screens of American television, a curious fusion of religious authority and climatological commentary was on full display. Speaking from the Vatican, the Pope tackled a variety of topics, but none seemed to ignite his fervor quite like the topic of climate change, where he promptly labeled skeptics as \u201cfools.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":324575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691818056,691823184,691818154,691823616],"class_list":{"0":"post-324571","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-climate-change","9":"tag-climate-skepticism","10":"tag-net-zero","11":"tag-pope-francis","13":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/022northWEB-facebookJumbo.jpg?fit=1050%2C549&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1mr1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":283319,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=283319","url_meta":{"origin":324571,"position":0},"title":"Earthquakes Blamed on Humans in New Climate Alarm Letter from Pope Francis","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"14\/10\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Pope Francis is the religious leader of the climate church. 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From \u00a0CFACT By\u00a0H. Sterling Burnett Bucharest, Romania - May 31, 2019: Pope Francis waves to the crowd in his popemobile vehicle during a visit in Bucharest, Romania. In late\u00a0December 2014, the Vatican\u00a0announced the Pope would be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Climate change\"","block_context":{"text":"Climate change","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-change"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-362.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-362.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-362.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-362.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-362.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":204120,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=204120","url_meta":{"origin":324571,"position":2},"title":"\u201cExposing the \u2018modern green religion’\u201d Published in the Catholic Standard","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"13\/06\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Essay by Eric Worrall Archbishop Julian Porteous of Tasmania, Australia is in hot water over promoting the words of climate \u201cdenier\u201d Ian Plimer, on the seventh anniversary of the Pope\u2019s climate encyclical \u201cLaudato Si\u201d. Archbishop accused of promoting climate change denier\u2019s views on anniversary of Pope\u2019s landmark letter By\u00a0Loretta Lohberger\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/0ian-plimer.webp?fit=720%2C434&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/0ian-plimer.webp?fit=720%2C434&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/0ian-plimer.webp?fit=720%2C434&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/0ian-plimer.webp?fit=720%2C434&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":406899,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=406899","url_meta":{"origin":324571,"position":3},"title":"October Arctic Ice Grows After Pope\u2019s\u00a0Blessing","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"07\/10\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Last Wednesday Pope Leo spoke before a slowly melting chunk of glacial ice in Vatican City in his first address on climate change.\u00a0 The pontiff addressed a crowd of roughly 1,000 attendees and called on people all over the world to demand action on climate from their governments.","rel":"","context":"In \"Arctic Ice\"","block_context":{"text":"Arctic Ice","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=arctic-ice"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQOij3GG7P79hSRfTgh8tBs9qLtvTFK1cJxOKO6qUggKfjetrrYaLvII9gbfVyBgMCt3MH6LOxKtVRVWsa7SMvKZLFYRBmlC2xqc2WICt1aedeWLZOwOkUYpbEp50YL3-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQOij3GG7P79hSRfTgh8tBs9qLtvTFK1cJxOKO6qUggKfjetrrYaLvII9gbfVyBgMCt3MH6LOxKtVRVWsa7SMvKZLFYRBmlC2xqc2WICt1aedeWLZOwOkUYpbEp50YL3-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQOij3GG7P79hSRfTgh8tBs9qLtvTFK1cJxOKO6qUggKfjetrrYaLvII9gbfVyBgMCt3MH6LOxKtVRVWsa7SMvKZLFYRBmlC2xqc2WICt1aedeWLZOwOkUYpbEp50YL3-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQOij3GG7P79hSRfTgh8tBs9qLtvTFK1cJxOKO6qUggKfjetrrYaLvII9gbfVyBgMCt3MH6LOxKtVRVWsa7SMvKZLFYRBmlC2xqc2WICt1aedeWLZOwOkUYpbEp50YL3-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0AQOij3GG7P79hSRfTgh8tBs9qLtvTFK1cJxOKO6qUggKfjetrrYaLvII9gbfVyBgMCt3MH6LOxKtVRVWsa7SMvKZLFYRBmlC2xqc2WICt1aedeWLZOwOkUYpbEp50YL3-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":407280,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=407280","url_meta":{"origin":324571,"position":4},"title":"Upon This Ice I Will Build My Church, Says Leo XIV","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"09\/10\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Well, we have had the news, we have had the picture, and we have had\u00a0Roger Watson\u2019s judgement\u00a0\u2013 a sound one \u2013 but I fear that, since this story concerns his Holiness the Pope, we also need a bit of history and theology. 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These changes are driven by shifting ratios of land and sea over geological epochs, tectonic forces, and external influences such as the Sun and the planets \u2014 \u201cwandering stars\u201d \u2014 of our solar system. Science has significantly\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"anti-science organizations\"","block_context":{"text":"anti-science organizations","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=anti-science-organizations"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMcBbvsz0SvdwTDyTCAwH2qmYxSqh01bC1Nbc8Dusv9Hz5913cvZHZSoMb-ehyDEhj8ylRuLsB-tC2Gz4RG6XzvUVgeTJQe-MnRSHtB3ZKj5rWbeO-eI4d_3l_8eYKud22zvTaBDjmgOwc0mwd2p_fVKdaGtA-5.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMcBbvsz0SvdwTDyTCAwH2qmYxSqh01bC1Nbc8Dusv9Hz5913cvZHZSoMb-ehyDEhj8ylRuLsB-tC2Gz4RG6XzvUVgeTJQe-MnRSHtB3ZKj5rWbeO-eI4d_3l_8eYKud22zvTaBDjmgOwc0mwd2p_fVKdaGtA-5.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMcBbvsz0SvdwTDyTCAwH2qmYxSqh01bC1Nbc8Dusv9Hz5913cvZHZSoMb-ehyDEhj8ylRuLsB-tC2Gz4RG6XzvUVgeTJQe-MnRSHtB3ZKj5rWbeO-eI4d_3l_8eYKud22zvTaBDjmgOwc0mwd2p_fVKdaGtA-5.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMcBbvsz0SvdwTDyTCAwH2qmYxSqh01bC1Nbc8Dusv9Hz5913cvZHZSoMb-ehyDEhj8ylRuLsB-tC2Gz4RG6XzvUVgeTJQe-MnRSHtB3ZKj5rWbeO-eI4d_3l_8eYKud22zvTaBDjmgOwc0mwd2p_fVKdaGtA-5.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMcBbvsz0SvdwTDyTCAwH2qmYxSqh01bC1Nbc8Dusv9Hz5913cvZHZSoMb-ehyDEhj8ylRuLsB-tC2Gz4RG6XzvUVgeTJQe-MnRSHtB3ZKj5rWbeO-eI4d_3l_8eYKud22zvTaBDjmgOwc0mwd2p_fVKdaGtA-5.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=324571"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":324576,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324571\/revisions\/324576"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/324575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=324571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=324571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=324571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}