Speaking on BBC radio, Pope Francis has appealed for the world to take “an urgent change of direction” to preserve the planet for future generations.

The Holy Father said on Thought for the Day, on BBC Radio 4, that COP26 – the 26th UN Climate Change Conference – could represent a “genuine moment of conversion”.

In an unprecedented move, the Pontiff used the slot to encourage world leaders to make the common good their priority when making key decisions at the 12-day summit, which opens in Glasgow on Sunday.

He also warned them against trying to combat the crises threatening humanity by “retreating into isolationism, protectionism and exploitation”.

“The most important lesson we can take from these crises is our need to build together, so that there will no longer be any borders, barriers or political walls for us to hide behind,” the Pope said.

Climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic have exposed the deep vulnerability of mankind raised numerous doubts and concerns about prevailing economic systems and organisation of societies, he said.

Together this has led to a widespread loss of the sense of security, of control people exert over their own lives and a growth in a sense of powerlessness, the Pope continued.

But because such crises were interconnected, the Pope continued, the response must be the vision required to make sound plans and put them rapidly into action, “to rethink the future of the world, our common home, and to reassess our common purpose”.

Humanity could only be guided to a brighter horizon through “a renewed sense of shared responsibility for our world, and an effective solidarity based on justice, a sense of our common destiny and a recognition of the unity of our human family in God’s plan for the world”, Francis said.

“All this represents an immense cultural challenge,” the Pope said. “It means giving priority to the common good, and it calls for a change in perspective, a new outlook, in which the dignity of every human being, now and in the future, will guide our ways of thinking and acting”

“It is essential that each of us be committed to this urgent change of direction, sustained by our own faith and spirituality,” he added.

“Humanity has never before had at its disposal so many means for achieving this goal.  The political decision makers who will meet at COP26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations.

“And it is worth repeating that each of us – whoever and wherever we may be – can play our own part in changing our collective response to the unprecedented threat of climate change and the degradation of our common home.”

COP26 will bring together leaders from across the globe to advance climate action and promote implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world’s legally-binding international treaty on climate change.

Cafod supporters from all over the country are planning to converge on Glasgow for the Global Day of Action on November 6, the mid-point of the 12 day summit.

Boris Johnson has already expressed his support for the objectives of the summit, telling the United Nations general assembly in New York that the event should serve as a “turning point for humanity”.

“It is time for us to listen to the warnings of the scientists – and look at Covid, if you want an example of gloomy scientists being proved right – and to understand who we are and what we are doing,” he said.

“The world – this precious blue sphere with its eggshell crust and wisp of an atmosphere – is not some indestructible toy, some bouncy plastic romper room against which we can hurl ourselves to our heart’s content,” he added.

Mr Johnson said it was vital that COP26 resulted in realistic initiatives to reach the target of restraining global heating to within 1.5 degrees.

He has since been encouraged by Pope Francis, who signed a “joint appeal” with faith leaders and scientists ahead of the conference. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is scheduled to participate in the event along with many faith-based groups and religious leaders.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has also written to the Prime Minister, describing the global ecological crisis as “a dark cloud over humanity” and stressing that the Catholic faith “calls us to care for our common home with all people of good will”.

Whilst assuring the Prime Minster of prayers for a successful summit, Cardinal Nichols pointed out how Catholic parishes, schools and dioceses were actively addressing environmental challenges.

He asked Mr Johnson to support poorer and more vulnerable communities in the face of the devastating effects of climate change, to take a lead in international efforts to develop and champion green energy solutions, and to lead efforts to establish cooperation between all nations in reducing harmful emissions and in keeping global warming to its stated goals.

(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

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