Holy See

The Holy See may have one of the smallest delegations at climate negotiations, but it holds the potential for the most significant long-term impact due to its unique position. As the legal representative of the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state, the Holy See also serves as the spiritual leader for over 1.3 billion Catholics globally. Despite being the newest signatory to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, it is not aligned with any of the established negotiating blocs that have shaped these discussions for decades.

Observers at recent conferences have noted that when the Holy See speaks, it commands attention. This places the Holy See in a pivotal role as a bridge, capable of fostering dialogue between countries and negotiating blocs. It also brings a strong moral voice, helping nations stay focused on the core objectives of climate negotiations: slowing global warming and addressing the needs of the developing world.

Catholic negotiators from various countries have approached the Holy See's representatives to discuss different issues. Around the time of SB60, the Holy See engaged with nongovernmental actors, not only to hear their views on key topics like mitigation, loss, and damage, but also to understand their perspectives on the progress of the talks. The Holy See created an inclusive environment where all voices were welcomed.

This approach aligns with Catholic teaching and is influenced by Pope Francis’ encyclical *Laudato Si’*, in which he calls for a "new dialogue" to shape the future. He advocates for moving away from obstructionist attitudes and fostering discussions based on subsidiarity, synodality, and solidarity.