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Pope Francis warns of ‘urgent’ risk to the planet

The Pope was welcomed to the White House by thousands. Photo: Getty

The Pope was welcomed to the White House by thousands. Photo: Getty

Pope Francis has urged the United States and the world to do more to combat climate change.

In a speech at the White House on Thursday morning (AEST), the Catholic Church leader said the problem cannot be left to future generations to solve.

“It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation,” the Pope said in English, as reported by the ABC.

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President Obama agrees with the Pope on climate change. Photo: Getty

President Obama agrees with the Pope on climate change. Photo: Getty

“When it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment of history.”

The 78-year-old pontiff even used a line from Martin Luther King’s famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, saying the world had “defaulted on a promissory note” to planet Earth by harming the environment with emissions.

His speech echoed the papal document he released this year demanding faster climate change action.

US President Barack Obama welcomed the Pope’s comments.

“Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet — God’s magnificent gift to us,” Mr Obama said.

“We support your call to all world leaders to support the communities most vulnerable to a changing climate and to come together to preserve our precious world for future generations.”

The Pope was greeted at the White House’s South Lawn by more than 10,000 fans.

It is his first ever visit to the US.

The Pope was welcomed to the White House by thousands. Photo: Getty

The Pope was welcomed to the White House by thousands. Photo: Getty

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