Vatican City: In a powerful message to the 44th Session of the FAO Conference being held in Rome from June 28 to July 4, Pope Leo XIV called for a global awakening against the use of hunger as a tool of war, while lamenting the misdirection of resources toward weapons instead of eradicating poverty.
As the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marks its 80th anniversary, Pope Leo sent a heartfelt message reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to the fight against global hunger and malnutrition. Drawing from the example of Christ feeding the multitudes, he highlighted that the solution to hunger lies not in abundance alone, but in the spirit of sharing.
“Christ's miracle teaches us that defeating hunger requires solidarity, not selfish accumulation,” the Pope stated.
Despite abundant food production in some regions, the Pope lamented, millions around the world continue to suffer from malnutrition and food insecurity. He denounced the weaponization of hunger, especially in modern conflicts where civilian populations are deliberately starved, humanitarian routes are blocked, and food sources are destroyed.
“Using starvation as a tactic in warfare is both cruel and cowardly. It is a cheap, inhumane strategy aimed at breaking the spirit of innocent people,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV underscored that today's wars are no longer waged by formal armies alone, but by armed civilian groups who adopt brutal tactics burning farmlands, halting aid deliveries, and creating food deserts. These tactics not only cripple agricultural economies, but also strip communities of dignity, stability, and opportunity.
He called on the international community to step up its efforts in holding those responsible accountable and to draw firm moral and legal boundaries against such atrocities.
“Political instability, armed violence, and economic turmoil are central to the food crisis, obstructing aid, destroying livelihoods, and deepening human suffering.”
The Pope also addressed the climate crisis and its ties to agriculture, noting that environmental degradation and biodiversity loss further exacerbate food scarcity. He stressed the need for a just ecological transition that centers both people and the planet, urging nations to collaborate on climate action in a spirit of global solidarity.
“When natural ecosystems are harmed, the poor suffer most. Our food systems must be resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.”
Pope Leo XIV voiced concern over the diversion of financial and technological resources away from humanitarian needs and into arms production and ideological agendas. This, he warned, erodes human relationships, fosters division, and undermines the pursuit of peace and fraternity.
“Human connections are breaking down, while misguided ideologies spread. This corrodes social unity and threatens global peace.”
Concluding his message, the Pope urged global leaders and citizens alike to become true artisans of peace, moving beyond superficial debates and showing real political will to end hunger. He assured FAO and the global community of the Holy See’s unwavering support in advancing the dignity of all people, especially those suffering from food insecurity.
“Let us work together for the common good. The Holy See stands ready to serve the cause of global harmony, with special attention to those most vulnerable and forgotten.”