In his final act as pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Francis, in keeping with his deep commitment to the climate and well-cultivated image of personal humility, could have foregone a papal funeral.
To the thousands of world leaders and dignitaries flying to Rome as required by international protocol, Pope Francis could have extended an invitation to stay home. He could have ordered he not lie in state, preventing the Vatican pilgrimage of hundreds of thousands of faithful to pay their respects. He could have even skipped the motorcade through the streets of Rome. All this, as a memorable gesture to maintain a smaller carbon footprint — one last gift to the planet by not contributing to the climate crisis.
He did not.
In the final moments Francis’ mortal body was on this earth, the Holy Father demonstrated ever more clearly that indeed, there is no climate crisis. There are no personal actions he or the world’s elite would ever, ever, take for the climate. It is all theater.
On climate change, Francis died as he lived: another political hypocrite.
Harsh words coming from me, a Catholic, about the Pope, let alone the recently deceased Pope, but Francis’ climate alarmism, nay his downright climate ignorance, are far, far worse. If Francis’ climate beliefs were ever to become policy prescriptions, most of the world would die, starting with the poor, elderly, and infirm. We can only thank God the Pope no longer has an army.
Francis visited 68 countries during his reign. The jet fuel and the tanks of gas came from somewhere. So too the altars erected in parks and fields so the enormous crowds could gather to his side. For example, at World Youth Day in Manila, the largest ever Mass in history saw 6 million in attendance. Quite a petrochemical-heavy event. Media praised Francis, who braved the pouring rain, driving the gas-powered Popemobile around the grounds wearing a waterproof, plastic poncho.
Thank you, fossil fuels, for making it possible for the Bishop of Rome to be in the Philippines. Thank you, fossil fuel workers, laboring in difficult, even dangerous jobs, for providing him with these resources.
Pope Wanted to ‘End the Era of Fossil Fuel’
“Enough with fossil fuels” Francis proclaimed at an audience in 2023 before the U.N. Climate Summit in Dubai, ordering that we “must listen to science and institute a rapid and equitable transition to end the era of fossil fuel.” A papal address that sounded uncomfortably like Bernie Sanders’ talking points.
Francis made no effort to live the “end the era of fossil fuels” in his life, but he would condemn others who do so — those not elite enough to be protected by socio-economic structures while enjoying the power to attack said structures.
Here, I can soften my criticism by dilution. Francis was in good company at his funeral, as numerous climate hypocrites were there too.
Other Hypocrites
John Kerry was there. Why? Because he’s John Kerry, and you’re not. The former Biden administration “climate czar” sees himself as the pope of his own religion, flying around the world in a year more than most people would in many lifetimes.
Another Massachusetts climate guru, Sen. Ed Markey, also attended Francis’ funeral. This is the same Ed Markey who authored the neo-Marxist, reductionist “Green New Deal” and who called for a “fossil fuel free future” at the U.N. Climate Conference just a few years ago.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi attended. She called the climate crisis a “code red for humanity.”
Sen. Dick Durbin went to the pope’s funeral. Just one month ago he shared his worry that “the world continues to plunge into a climate crisis.”
None of these leaders offered to forgo the funeral and watch it on TV for the planet. In fact, I cannot find a time any climate leader, ever, has forgone a world conference or spectacle for the purpose of reducing his carbon footprint. Why? Because there is no climate crisis, and their actions admit it.
I share this line at every climate speech I give: Any person who does not do voluntarily in his personal life what he wants government power to force you do in yours, is a threat to you and your freedom, rights, and property.
Thankful for Fossil Fuels
The Vatican statement said Pope Francis “died peacefully.” My father died peacefully, thanks to an I.V. needle in his arm, forged from coal, connected to hollow, non-toxic tubing made from oil, through which flowed a calming medicine derived from natural gas. What a gift from God, to die peacefully.
My love of God compels me as a Catholic to offer prayers for Pope Francis and his eternal repose. My love of humanity compels me to advocate for life-saving, dignity-bestowing fossil fuels. We are better, healthier, stronger, more prosperous, more hygienic, better educated, and better able to serve God and mankind because of the millions of products which come from this gift God has put under our feet and given humanity the wisdom to harness. The climate cult would turn human existence into squalor rather than see it is the earth which provides us with the ability to elevate humanity to be stewards of the planet.
Rest in peace, Holy Father. I pray that the misguided, opportunistic, histrionics of the ungodly climate cult is laid to rest with you.
Daniel Turner is the founder and executive director of Power The Future, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for American energy jobs. Contact him at daniel@powerthefuture.com and follow him on Twitter @DanielTurnerPTF.
