VATICAN CITY? Pope Benedict XVI Sunday called for "responsible" action on the environment to give relief to "the poor and future generations," ahead of the opening of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen.

"I hope that the work (in Copenhagen) will help identify actions respectful of creation and favourable to development which is based on human dignity and the well-being of all," the pontiff said after giving the traditional Sunday Angelus blessing from his balcony in Saint Peter's Square.

"Protecting the natural world calls for restrained and responsible lifestyles, especially in consideration of the poor and future generations," the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said.

"To guarantee the success of the (climate) conference, I call on all people of good will to respect the laws of God on nature and to rediscover the moral dimension in human life," he said.

The Vatican will attend the UN conference opening Monday through December 18 in the Danish capital with a delegation led by Monsignor Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's permanent observer at the United Nations.

Benedict has been dubbed the "green pope" for his frequent positions in defense of the environment, his spokesman Father Federico Lombardi noted in September.