Pope blesses climate activist, asks for prayers at North Pole

Michael Haddad receives blessing from Pope Francis during General Audience

Source: Vatican News/Michael Haddad

Pope Francis met climate activist Michael Haddad during his General Audience today with pilgrims in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard.

Michael has been paralyzed from the waist down since he was six years-old after a jet ski accident. Yet, he hasn't let that event affect his drive to live life to the fullest.

Born in the Lebanon, Michael went on to become a professional athlete and, since 2016, he has been a Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action of the UN's Development Programme.

Recovering from his spinal injury was very challenging. Thanks to medical advances and new technology he is able to ski and free-climb mountains, and holds three world records. Michael says his faith helps him not only to be at peace ('Let Your Disability Be Your Strength', is his motto), but has led him to become a motivational speaker and an example for many people who face similar difficulties.

He said: "As a person for whom it is impossible to walk or even stand unassisted, or even sit down unassisted, I decided to explore my potential. And I discovered that nothing is impossible. It needs two things: Faith and determination. So, faith is belief in ourselves, belief in a Creator and the belief that inside us there is unlimited power to go beyond. And determination is that nothing comes easy. We have to make this choice, be determined and move forward."

Michael is able to move and walk with the help of an exoskeleton-specially developed by a team of engineers, doctors and researchers-which provides stability for his torso, shoulders, and arms. The Exoskeleton enables him to move forward and walk one step at a time. Getting up from the wheelchair, especially after long periods of sitting, is extremely taxing, but Michael does not give up.

He said: "Smiling, that's also a mission. It is an expression of the happiness I carry inside. One of the purposes in life is to be happy; Jesus told us to turn fear into joy."

"I'm Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ," he said, affirming that faith has helped him in every battle. Michael has climbed mountains and crossed deserts. He has also participated in two marathons: one in Cairo, the other in Beirut, to raise funds for the reconstruction of a hospital devastated by the explosion at the port in August 2020.

Michael's faith is also assisting him in what he calls his "great mission" - to draw the world's attention to environmental issues.

He is planning to walk 100 kilometres to the North Pole. After some delay because of the pandemic, the mission is now scheduled for February or March 2022.

Michael said: "I decided to walk, because earth is sitting in a wheelchair. We have to unite to save ourselves, to save our planet and I am doing it under one banner. .. With the UN we stand united together all over the world to make this change. And we have to do it now... I'm working with a great science team and have been considered one of the few people in the world who can do something like this in my condition. So, everything we are planning before, during and after this walk will contribute to scientific research to help other people walk again through new technology."

As he sat in the front row at the General Audience in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on Wednesday, accompanied by Theresa Panuccio, official representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Michael told the Pope about his goal, and asked him for a blessing for his mission in the Arctic.

"When I told the Holy Father my story, he rested his hand on my head. I told him that we try to bring a message of humanity, to support the earth and the environment. He blessed me, and I said, 'Father, please pray for me.' He replied, 'You pray for me at the North Pole.' I can't get that phrase out of my head. It gives me strength and so much food for thought. I feel more committed, and I will confront this challenge together with the Pope rather than alone."

Michael brought two gifts for Pope Francis. The first was the branch of a cedar tree, a symbol of his homeland, Lebanon, a country which Pope St John Paul II called "a message."

"The Lebanese cedar tree is an everlasting tree. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, and it is called the cedar of God," explained Michael.

He also gave the Pope a photo of a church nestled in one of the oldest cedar forests in the world.

"The cedar connected the Earth 10,000 years ago. With its wood, ships were made and the connections went all over the world. Without a healthy planet there is no healthy human."

Pope Francis thanked Michael several times and posed with him for a selfie.

Read more about Michael Haddad on his website: www.michaelhaddad.org/