London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to meet Pope Francis in Vatican City on Thursday morning. Khan expressed nervousness about the audience, stating it was an honor and a privilege to be invited by the Pope. Before his departure, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, asked Khan to convey well wishes from London's Catholic community.
Khan will be leading a delegation of nine mayors in this 90-minute meeting, focusing on leadership in the age of climate change. As co-chair of the C40 group, Khan will discuss London’s environmental initiatives, such as the city's electric bus fleet, expanded cycle lanes, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). He will not disclose forthcoming air quality data from the Ulez extension, as it is still under review.
Khan will also use this opportunity to thank Pope Francis for his support following Khan's election. He noted the Pope's positive remarks regarding integration, which came after Khan's historic election as the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city in 2016. The discussion aims to highlight the collaborative role different faiths can play in addressing global challenges, particularly the climate emergency.