Pope Benedict 16th kicked off the Vatican’s green initiatives in 2008 by installing solar panels on its audience hall.

Fifteen years later, the Vatican produced its first nationally determined contribution (NDC) — efforts to reduce emissions under the Paris Agreement — in which it pledges to reduce greenhouse gases to 20 percent below the 2011 level by 2030.

Francis has drawn up an “Ecological Conversion 2030” plan for carbon-neutral projects and technologies, including switching to electric vehicles, although the tiny city state’s contribution to global emissions is already negligible.

The Holy See also signed an environmental interfaith declaration earlier this month with 27 others, including Chief Rabbi David Rosen, representatives of the grand imam of Cairo’s Al-Azhar mosque, Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

In a sign of the increasing engagement of religion in climate issues, this year’s COP will include a faith pavilion for the first time, which Francis will inaugurate and which will host over 65 sessions with religious figures, scientists and political leaders.

“The pope’s decision to engage personally and profoundly in environment and climate has been of tremendous importance,” Sorlin said.

Amid “worrying reports” of many countries increasing rather than decreasing fossil fuel production, “the pope stands out as almost a divine presence among hordes of sinners.”