Newsom criticizes Trump at Vatican climate summit
Gavin Newsom, the Democratic Governor of California, recently delivered a keynote speech at the Vatican’s Climate Summit, where he did not shy away from taking a swipe at former President Donald Trump. Newsom accused Trump of being involved in what he referred to as “open corruption” by cozying up with big oil companies, which he blamed for the heart of the climate crisis.
During his address, Newsom criticized fossil fuel companies for their deception and denial of scientific facts related to climate change. He specifically called out Trump for allegedly meeting with oil executives and asking for $1 billion to hinder the environmental progress made by the Biden administration.
The references made by Newsom regarding Trump’s alleged actions were to a reported meeting at Mar-a-Lago where oil executives were present. Newsom’s remarks at the Vatican summit were part of a larger discourse on climate change being described as an “ecological sin” caused by human negligence, a sentiment echoed by Pope Francis, who spearheaded the event in 2022.
The summit, organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, focused on the need for cross-disciplinary partnerships and transdisciplinary collaborations to address climate change effectively. Newsom highlighted California’s proactive approach to combatting climate change, stating that the state has invested billions in green energy initiatives and exceeded its environmental goals.
Despite his invitation to speak at the Vatican event as a Catholic, Newsom’s progressive policies in California have sometimes conflicted with traditional Catholic teachings. Notably, Newsom has championed policies such as creating a sanctuary state for transgender children seeking sex-change surgeries, a move that diverges from the Catholic Church’s stance on gender theory.
Newsom’s appearance at the Vatican summit raised eyebrows due to his progressive stances on social issues. However, his commitment to addressing climate change and promoting green energy initiatives in California were the focal points of his speech at the prestigious event.
In a separate interview, Pope Francis criticized conservative critics within the Catholic Church for their resistance to change and adherence to traditional teachings, labeling their attitude as “suicidal.” The Pope emphasized the importance of considering contemporary situations and not being confined by dogmatic beliefs when addressing evolving societal challenges.
Overall, the intersection of politics, environmental issues, and religious doctrine was brought to the forefront at the Vatican’s Climate Summit, where Governor Gavin Newsom’s impassioned speech underscored the urgency of taking decisive action to combat climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
