Pope Leo XIV has deplored the use of hunger as a “weapon of war” and called for measures to be taken to ensure food security for the world’s poor. Source: CNA.
The Pope made the comments in his message to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, which is this week holding its 44th conference session in Rome.
The Holy Father said the UN is far from reaching its 2030 goal of “zero hunger” in spite of “significant steps” taken by the intergovernmental organisation to ensure food security, particularly for the world’s poor.
“We are currently witnessing with despair the iniquitous use of hunger as a weapon of war,” Leo said in his message to FAO. “Starving people to death is a very cheap way of waging war.”
The Pope criticised the actions of armed civilians who “greedily hoard” food, burn land, steal livestock, and block humanitarian aid to those suffering and in need.
“Farmers are unable to sell their produce in environments threatened by violence, and inflation soars,” he said. “This leads to huge numbers of people succumbing to the scourge of starvation and perishing.
“While civilians languish in misery, political leaders grow fat on the profits of the conflict.”
Highlighting the complex relationship between war, poverty, and hunger, the Pope said the Holy See supports all initiatives aimed at bringing international leaders together to collaborate for “the common good of the family of nations.”
“Without peace and stability, it will not be possible to guarantee resilient agricultural and food systems, nor to ensure a healthy, accessible, and sustainable food supply for all,” he added.
Continuing his calls for peace in war-torn areas since his May election as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, Leo extended his call to the leadership and staff of FAO to become peacemakers in times of “huge polarisation in international relations”.
“I pray to almighty God that your work may bear fruit and be of benefit to the underprivileged and to humanity as a whole,” he said at the conclusion of his message.
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Pope: ‘Hunger must not be used as a weapon of war’ (By Kristina Millare, CNA)
