How Pope Leo XIV Champions the Fight Against Hunger as the Key to Global Peace – Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV recently visited the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome to celebrate World Food Day and the organization’s 80th anniversary. During his speech, he urged a collective commitment to end hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

The FAO, located near important Roman landmarks, symbolizes a commitment to combat issues like food insecurity and malnutrition. Pope Leo emphasized the urgency of treating these problems as moral obligations rather than merely economic or political issues. He stated, “Whoever suffers from hunger is my brother,” highlighting the deep human connection in addressing this crisis.

Currently, over 673 million people go to bed hungry, and about 2.3 billion lack a nutritious diet. These figures reflect real lives affected by hunger. Pope Leo criticized an “economy without a soul” and called the continued existence of hunger in a world of plenty a “collective moral failure.”

Pope Leo also expressed alarm that food is being used as a weapon in conflicts, denying basic rights to thousands. He reminded everyone of the UN Security Council’s position on starvation as a war crime and urged nations to act decisively against this form of violence.

He echoed sentiments from his predecessor, Pope Francis, stressing the importance of not wasting food while others starve. “Food must never be a weapon,” the Pope insisted, calling for global leaders to break free from complacency and unite against this issue.

This year’s World Food Day theme, “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind,” served as a call for collective action. The Pope highlighted the vital role of women in sustaining communities, stating they are “the silent architects of survival.” Recognizing their contributions, he argued, is essential for achieving a fair food system.

Pope Leo’s visit also underscored the need for cooperation among nations. He called for listening to the voices of the impoverished and acting on their needs. His heartfelt appeal included those suffering from hunger in regions like Ukraine, Gaza, and Yemen, insisting the international community cannot turn a blind eye.

In closing, he reminded all present of Jesus’ command: “Give them something to eat.” This command, he said, challenges the world, urging everyone to seek the courage needed to strive for lasting justice and serve those in need.

For a more in-depth look at his speech, you can read it [here](https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/es/speeches/2025/october/documents/20251016-fao.html).

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Pope Leo XIV, fao, food and water, un, anniversary, justice, Rome, poverty