In Earth Day message, pope warns that planet is "at the brink"

Pope Francis delivers a video message on the occasion of Earth Day, at the Vatican, April 22, 2021. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis said in his Earth Day message on Thursday that the planet was "at the brink" and humanity had to avoid "the path of self destruction."

The pope, who has issued many appeals for environmental protection since his election in 2013, spoke in two video messages, one for the Earth Day Live internet event and another for a global climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.