Pope Francis greets youths after leading the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican
Pope Francis greets youths after leading the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

A group of scientists are banking on Catholic Church leader Pope Francis and other heads of the world's religion in the fight against the effects of climate change. In an essay published in the Science journal, scientists argue that it would be better to engage the world's religious leaders than depend on politicians to motivate billions of people around the world in the global effort.

The Telegraph said the article highlighted the importance of Pope Francis and the 1.2 billion followers of the Roman Catholic Church. Scientists believe religious leaders have greater influence since religion brings a combination of moral leadership and organisational structure to help bring about change.

The essay was published following the news of Pope Francis making the final touches to his papal encyclical on the environment which is an indication that the Catholic Church will be supporting efforts to limit climate change.

The journal article is co-written by Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan, a climate scientist at the University of California, and Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, an economist in Cambridge's St. Johns College.

The authors wrote that scientists have done their part in keeping a record of irreversible damage brought about by climate change. They believe the next big step is to mobilise the people with the help of the Vatican and other religious organisations. This may hopefully lead to a collective action against the effects of climate change for the sake of environment and humanity.

The scientists argued that in order to develop a "sustainable relationship" with nature, the engagement of moral leadership through religious institutions is needed to go with the combined efforts of political leaders and scientists.

Pope Francis has repeatedly called for the need to protect nature including a joint statement with Orthodox Church Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, reports said. In August, Pope Francis was asked to get rid of Vatican's investments in fossil fuels. The global climate campaign of 350.org and its partners launched a petition to stop supporting the use of fossil fuels.

The Pope has been vocal in acknowledging the threat of climate change. He had called the destruction of the environment a "sinful act."