By Anthony Marcusa / Source: Ecorazzi

The papacy of Pope Francis has won supporters both religious and secular, as an active and modern agenda has been put forth. High on his list has been to address climate change and promote sustainability, and the Vatican is set to continue this endeavor.

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences will host a summit on April 28, focusing on the moral aspect of climate change as well as sustainability. The event, titled ‘Protect the Earth, Dignify Humanity,’ has invited more than 60 environmental experts, and will feature opening remarks by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Pease, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

“[The conference hopes to] help build a global movement across all religions for sustainable development and climate change throughout 2015 and beyond,” reads a press release. “The desired outcome is a joint statement on the moral and religious imperative of sustainable development, highlighting the intrinsic connection between respect for the environment and respect for people – especially the poor, the excluded, victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, children, and future generations.”

This is hardly the first foray by the Vatican concerning the planet’s well being. In January, Pope Francis revealed he was working on an encyclical, the highest form of papal writing, on the relationship between humans and the environment. The document is expected to be release3d this summer, and will be the latest in a series of steps championing the environment in Pope Francis’ tenure. He addressed the issue during his inaugural mass in 2013, while also holding a five-day summit in 2014 on sustainability. Pope Francis is set to visit the U.S. and address Congress in September, which may find him speaking about climate change as well. In December, Paris will host the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

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