During his return flight to Rome from his visit in Africa, Pope Francis took some of his time and answered direct questions from the reporters who were also on board the plane.
In a report from the National Catholic Reporter, the Pope commented on the gathering of the world's leaders to discuss the dire need for action to face the terrible effects of climate change.
"I am sure that almost all who are in Paris ... have this awareness and want to do something," said Pope Francis. "I have trust; I have trust that these [leaders] will do something because I would say I am sure they have the good will to do it. And I wish that it will be so, and I pray for this."
Reuters reported that the Pope also said the problem regarding climate change only becomes graver each year, and that the world as it is now is already at the edge of the cliff.
"I am not sure, but I can say to you 'now or never'," he said. "Every year the problems are getting worse. We are at the limits. If I may use a strong word I would say that we are at the limits of suicide."
The Pope also shared what he experienced in Africa, and told the reporters that Africa has always been the victim of exploitation done by the nations in power.
"Africa has always been exploited by other powers ... there are some countries that want only the great resources of Africa," the Pope shared. "But they don't think about developing the countries, about creating jobs. Africa is [a] martyr, a martyr of the exploitation of history."
Pope Francis tried to avoid a question regarding the ban on condoms imposed by the church in order to stop the spread of HIV-AIDS, by saying that it is not productive to talk about condoms while African countries continue to drown in poverty, social injustice, wars and human trafficking.