Schoolgirl climate activist Greta Thunberg meets the Pope

The teenage girl who spearheaded the worldwide school strikes over climate change has met the Pope at the Vatican.

Speaking to the EU, Greta Thunberg urged European leaders to act on climate change. Source: AP

Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg has brought her climate change campaign to the Vatican, where she met with Pope Francis and carried a sign saying "Join the climate strike".

Greta arrived late for Francis' general audience on Wednesday and took her seat in the VIP section in St. Peter's Square.

Francis went up to her at the end of the audience, where Greta showed off her sign.

She is in Rome to headline Friday's "school strike," the growing worldwide youth movement she spearheaded demanding faster action against climate change.

 

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She will also address the Italian parliament.

In Francis, Greta has found a kindred spirit. The Jesuit pope has made fighting climate change and caring for God's creation a pillar of his papacy.

SOURCE AAP - SBS