"WASHINGTON — Since his first homily in 2013, Pope Francis has preached about the need to protect the earth and all of creation as part of a broad message on the environment. It has caused little controversy so far.

But now, as Francis prepares to deliver what is likely to be a highly influential encyclical this summer on environmental degradation and the effects of human-caused climate change on the poor, he is alarming some conservatives in the United States who are loath to see the Catholic Church reposition itself as a mighty voice in a cause they do not believe in.

As part of the effort for the encyclical, top Vatican officials will hold a summit meeting Tuesday to build momentum for a campaign by Francis to urge world leaders to enact a sweeping United Nations climate change accord in Paris in December. The accord would for the first time commit every nation to enact tough new laws to cut the emissions that cause global warming."

Coral Davenport and Laurie Goodstein report for the New York Times April 27, 2015. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"UN Chief Praises Pope for Framing Climate in Moral Terms' (AP) [3]

"Why Pope Francis May Be About To Make a Dramatic Wave in the Climate Debate" (Washington Post) [4]

"Good Luck Going After the Pope, Climate Deniers" (Mother Jones) [5]

"Heartland Institute Seeks To Enlighten Pope Francis" (Clean Technica) [6]

"Conservative Thinktank Seeks To Change Pope Francis's Mind on Climate Change" (Guardian) [7]

"Climate Scientists Head to Rome on Urgent Mission to Save The Pope From Clutches of ManBearPig" (Breitbart) [8]

"Heartland Institute Heads to Rome to Advise Pope Francis on Climate Policy" (Heartland Institute) [9]

"The Pope Thinks Climate Change Is a Major Threat. So Do American Catholics." (Mother Jones/Climate Desk: 12/30/2014) [10]

"EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Meets With Vatican Officials About Climate Change" (AP: 1/30/2015) [11]

"Pope Francis Should Answer to ExxonMobil Rather Than God, Imply Climate Deniers" (DeSmogUK) [12]

"Can the 'Green Pope' Change Minds on Climate Change?" (National Journal) [13]