Pope Francis met with leaders from oil companies around the world.

Leaders of companies such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP met together for a few hours at the Vatican.

They exchanged impressions on the planet's energy transition. This includes reducing polluting emissions to stop climate change, without harming the growth of developing countries or employment in this industry.

POPE FRANCIS

"The current ecological crisis, especially climate change, threatens the very future of the human race, and I'm not exaggerating."

The pope recalled that if the Paris Agreement is not put into action, the temperature will increase 2.5ºF in 10 years. This will have catastrophic effects on the climate.

POPE FRANCIS

"At the same time, future generations are about to inherit a world in ruins."

"I apologize, but I would like to underline this. They, our children and grandchildren, it is not fair they pay the cost for our irresponsibility."

The pope asked them not to wait for others to take the first step, nor give priority to short-term economic benefits.

This is the pope's second meeting with the oil companies, and the tone was cordial. In fact, he concluded by participating in this group photo.