Pope Francis presides over Holy Mass on Sunday in Vatican City. Photo: Grzegorz Galazka via Getty Images.
Pope Francis plans to spend three days at the COP28 climate summit, multiple outlets report, a visit that will increase the spotlight on the talks.
Why it matters: He'll be the first pontiff to attend an annual UN "conference of the parties," underscoring Francis' focus on climate during his tenure.
Driving the news: He announced his plan to attend the Dubai talks from Dec. 1-3 in an interview with Italy's RAI television.
- "Our future is at stake, the future of our children and grandchildren. It requires some responsibility," he said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Catch up fast: Francis has elevated climate within the Vatican.
- A first-time papal encyclical on climate in 2015 expressed concern about harms to the poor and vulnerable nations.
- He followed that with a blunt "Exhortation" last month that calls for COP28 to produce more "obligatory" steps on energy transition.
What we're watching: Keep an eye out for details of his agenda.