It seems that Pope Francis would like to directly inspire decisive action on climate change - according to Think Progress, he is expected to tell the planet's 1.2 billion Catholics why acting on climate change is essential to the faith using an influential church document called an encyclical.

An encyclical is a papal letter sent out to all bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, and this particular one will be given to the world's 5,000 bishops and 40,000 priests following a papal visit to the city of Tacloban in the Philippines, which was recently damaged by a hurricane.

According to The Guardian, the Pope wishes to directly influence next year's UN climate meeting in Paris, where 20 countries will come together in an effort to negotiate a universal commitment to reduce emissions.

Bishop Marcelo Sorondo stated, "Our academics supported the pope's initiative to influence next year's crucial decisions... The idea is to convene a meeting with leaders of the main religions to make all people aware of the state of our climate and the tragedy of social exclusion."

The Pope has warned of the dangers of ecological devastation in the past. This past October, he told a meeting of Latin American and Asian social movements, "The monopolizing of lands, deforestation, the appropriation of water, inadequate agro-toxics are some of the evils that tear man from the land of his birth. Climate change, the loss of biodiversity and deforestation are already showing their devastating effects in the great cataclysms we witness...

Just as humanity confronted revolutionary change in the 19th century at the time of industrialization, today we have changed the natural environment so much. If current trends continue, the century will witness unprecedented climate change and destruction of the ecosystem with tragic consequences."

The Guardian reports that Francis will meet other faith leaders and lobby politicians at the general assembly in New York in September,  when countries will sign up to new anti-poverty and environmental goals.