The U-turn on environmental policies comes as evidence mounts that climate change has already caused significant damage, from killing large sections of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to causing severe drought in Africa.

The ban’s proponents say mining practices posed a grave risk to the country’s already limited water supply.

One of the pope’s senior advisers urged Mr. Trump to listen to “dissenting” voices when it comes to the environment.

From 2017: Policies that fail to protect our planet are not only against Catholic teaching but are also immoral.

Reversing any effort that reduces greenhouse gas pollution endangers the planet and puts the world's most vulnerable people at risk, the advocates said.