Pope Francis talks to journalists during a press conference he held on board the flight to Rome, at the end of a five-day visit to Colombia, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, pool)

At a Glance

Pope Francis said the world will "go down" if nothing is done to curb climate change. The pope indicated that world leaders should be held morally responsible if they do not cooperate with other countries to reduce global warming."These are not opinions pulled out of thin air," Francis said of scientific findings on climate change.

Hurricanes Irma and Harvey are a reminder that humanity will "go down" unless something is not done to address climate change, Pope Francis said this week.

According to Reuters, the pope told reporters on a flight to Rome from a five-day tour of Columbia Sunday that recentfor the world, noting thathistory will judge those who deny the science on the causes of global warming.

“If we don’t turn back, we will go down,” Francis said.

While there is broad consensus that climate change is real and responsible for numerous severe weather events, due to their recency, there are no studies that have yet linked Irma or Harvey to climate change.

When asked ifworld leaders should be held morally responsible if they do not cooperate with other countries to reduce global warming, the pope hinted thatthe answer was obvious.

“You can see the effects of climate change and scientists have clearly said what path we have to follow,” he said.“All of us have a responsibility, all of us, small or large, a moral responsibility. We have to take it seriously. We can’t joke about it. Each person has their own. Even politicians have their own.”

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Without saying so, the pope seemed to direct his remarks at President Donald Trump and his administration's withdrawal in June from the Paris Climate Accord, an agreement that had the full support of the pope. After the U.S. withdrew, the Vatican "

“If someone is doubtful that this is true, they should ask scientists. They are very clear. These are not opinions pulled out of thin air. They are very clear. Then each person can decide and history will judge the decisions,” he said Sunday.