Pope discusses climate change with Jeff Bezos August 20, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis met with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, at the Vatican to discuss climate change. Sánchez posted photos of the meeting at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the residence where Pope Francis lives, in an Instagram post Aug. 15, saying that the pope’s “wisdom, warmth, and humor were deeply touching.” “He reminded us not to take life too seriously, a simple yet powerful reminder to keep lightness in our hearts,” she wrote. The meeting was not listed on the pope’s official agenda nor publicized through the Vatican’s media channels. Sánchez wrote that the three of them discussed the “urgent need for climate action,” a passion she said she shares with the pope as vice-chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. Pope Francis’ “belief in finding beauty and meaning in everything we do resonated deeply with me,” she wrote on Instagram, adding, “I love that he encourages priests to read poetry and literature to stay connected with the human spirit.” “Grateful for this incredible blessing and the gentle wisdom he shared with us,” she wrote. In March, Sánchez announced the Bezos Earth Fund would invest $60 million in centers focused on biomanufacturing and creating alternative proteins. Bezos has committed to spending $10 billion on fighting climate change through the fund. According to Forbes, Bezos is the second wealthiest man in the world with a net worth of $196.3 billion. Read More Vatican News ‘Peru holds a special place in my heart,’ pope tells Peruvian bishops, surprises them at lunch Olympics 2026: Pope calls for ‘healthy competition’ to unite people at Winter Games As Cardinal Pierre turns 80, what comes next? Deadly violence in Minneapolis tied to ICE agents is ‘unacceptable,’ top cardinal says Lack of faith, especially among youth, should spur evangelization, pope says Cardinal Fernández warns against ‘ex cathedra’ condemnations online, urges humility Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
