Last week the Cardinals at the Vatican selected the new Bishop of Rome , Pope Francis. Formerly known as the Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, Pope Francis was elected even as millions Catholic and Non Catholic alike waited with bated breath for the smoke signals to twirl out of the Vatican chimney. The sight gave hope to the millions as it is understood that the new pope will address a large number of debatable issues and help surmount them. As the new pope will tackle new challenges- those which will have huge repercussion on humanity in general, his actions and his decisions will be carved forever in history. He will be for time immemorial be remembered for helping the poor and vulnerable and strengthening the international community. 

But all that remains to be seen as Pope Francis is yet to declare his stance on Climate Change. Will the new Pope Francis tackle Climate Change? He is yet to formulate a long term strategy that will protect human life, health and the environment. The former Bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI  in his address to the Reichstag Building in 2011 had stated that -"The importance of ecology is no longer disputed. We must listen to the language of nature and we must answer accordingly." 

Climate Change and the Vatican have much in common.  The Vatican has made huge strides forward in renewable energy.

In 2009, the Vatican installed huge Solar panels, the largest in Europe which led to energy production per capita of 200 watts per inhabitant. By doing so the Vatican became the world's smallest state to step up the fight against Global warming. The 2000 photovoltaic panels were installed over the Nervi Hall where the Pope holds his audiences. This installation has led the Vatican to saving close to 90 tonnes of oil and fossil fuel annually. Further the Vatican has a solar heating system for its cafetaria and even the pope's summer residence is being fitted to get power from the Methane produced by the close by horse stables.

The question arises will the new Pope follow in the footsteps of the previous one? Will Pope Francis tackle Climate Change? Pope Benedict was also called the Green Pope...will the new Pope address an issue affecting the entire world community?

 That remains to be seen even as Climate Change displays its destructive impact throughout the world. As of now, Climate change is the leading cause of 400,000 deaths on an average each year. The reasons are a plenty and mostly targeted towards the developing countries. Hunger, water, communicable disease, air pollution and even cancer are the main problems affecting the poorer nations. As the West grapples with changing weather patterns in the form of droughts, thunderstorms, rain and wild fires, the international community is hoping for help from all corners. We hope the new pope will be a helping hand.