Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on governments and international organizations to place human dignity above political and economic interests, warning that conflicts around the world are receiving more attention and resources than efforts to feed hungry people.
Speaking at the headquarters of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome on Monday, Pope said hunger and malnutrition remain among the most urgent challenges facing humanity. He urged countries to work together through stronger international cooperation and renewed commitment to helping vulnerable communities.
Addressing the Executive Board of the WFP, Pope Leo praised the agency for its work in providing food assistance during wars, natural disasters, and humanitarian emergencies. He said the organization’s mission closely reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to protecting human dignity and promoting solidarity among people.
Pope noted that global crises are no longer isolated events but have become long lasting realities. Armed conflicts, food shortages, economic instability, and climate related challenges are affecting millions of people across the world. He said these problems raise important questions about whether the current international system is capable of preventing such crises or whether it is helping to create conditions that allow them to continue.
According to Pope Leo, the issue is not simply how the world responds to emergencies but why so many of these emergencies keep occurring. He expressed concern that the international order has become increasingly fragmented, with many countries focusing mainly on national security, economic growth, and domestic priorities while paying less attention to international cooperation.
Pope described a troubling contradiction in today’s world. While humanity has greater productive capacity than ever before, millions of people still face extreme poverty and hunger. He warned that solidarity is becoming trapped in bureaucracy, while human life is increasingly treated as a commodity.
He said humanitarian aid is often slowed down by complex administrative procedures, while access to food and other essential goods is frequently influenced by economic or strategic interests. As a result, people who are unable to contribute measurable economic value can become invisible to decision makers.
Quoting concerns previously expressed by Pope Francis, Pope Leo said that while development projects and humanitarian assistance often face political obstacles and trade barriers, weapons continue to move freely across borders. He remarked that conflicts are being "fed" more readily than people are being nourished, describing this as a serious moral and political imbalance.
Pope stressed that hunger is not only a humanitarian issue but also a threat to global stability. Food insecurity can weaken communities, increase tensions, contribute to conflict, and force people to leave their homes in search of safety and survival.
He said organizations such as the World Food Programme play a crucial role in preventing humanitarian disasters from becoming even worse. Beyond delivering emergency assistance, they represent a shared commitment by the international community to care for those most in need.
Pope Leo called for stronger support for multilateral cooperation and urged governments to dedicate more resources to fighting hunger and addressing its root causes. He also encouraged closer cooperation between international agencies, civil society groups, and religious organizations.
Highlighting the Catholic Church’s humanitarian work through parishes, dioceses, and Caritas networks, he noted that church organizations often reach people living in areas where international agencies face access difficulties.
Pope also praised the WFP for expanding its work beyond emergency relief to include long term programs such as school meal initiatives, which help improve both nutrition and education for children.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo warned that the credibility of international cooperation itself is at stake. He said the world must simplify overly complicated systems, focus on what truly matters, and ensure that no person is forgotten.
He ended by praying for the success of efforts to combat hunger and expressed hope that every person would have access to daily bread and the opportunity to live with dignity.