Pope Condemns Use of Hunger as a Weapon at World Food Day Ceremony

Rome: Pope Leo XIV criticized the weaponization of hunger and urged for genuine political commitment to fulfill the 2030 Agenda Zero-Hunger goal during his address to the World Food Day ceremony at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters.

According to Ansa News Agency, Pope Leo XIV highlighted that current conflicts have led to the resurgence of using food as a weapon of war. He expressed concern that the consensus among states, which considers deliberate starvation and denial of food access as war crimes, seems to be diminishing. The pope emphasized that international humanitarian law unequivocally prohibits targeting civilians and essential goods for survival.

The pontiff lamented the ongoing use of strategies that lead to starvation, affecting men, women, and children. He called for a remedy to what he described as a scandal. Pope Leo XIV stressed the need for a collective mobilization of resources in solidarity to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient and quality food. He argued that achieving this would uphold human dignity, support development, prevent forced displacement, and foster understanding among peoples.

With five years remaining until the 2030 Agenda’s completion, Pope Leo XIV urged a strong reminder that the Zero Hunger goal is attainable only with genuine commitment, beyond mere declarations.