Each of the popes since Paul VI, except John Paul I during his short reign, have had interactions with FAO, concretizing the Holy See’s continued support of the UN agency in accomplishing its mission. This was Pope Leo’s first visit and during his talk, the pope reaffirmed the mission of the organization to end hunger and to build resilient agrifood systems across the globe. He also took the opportunity to urge the international community to redouble its efforts to eradicate hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity — evils he described as “a moral wound that afflicts the whole human family.”
The Director-General, acknowledging the presence of the pope and many other leaders from around the world, said, “Your presence here today is a true reflection that hunger knows no borders, and that the challenge of food security demands unity among nations.” He implored that there be continued action in this area. “The world’s leaders and people everywhere must come together united by our collective belief that the right to food is a basic human right, and that peace is a prerequisite for food security,” he said.
In his address, the pope spoke of the unacceptable use of food as a weapon of war, which he said contradicts all of the awareness-raising work carried out by FAO over the past eight decades. “Eighty years after the establishment of FAO, our conscience must once again challenge us in the face of the ever-present scourge of hunger and malnutrition,” the pope said. “In this regard, I consider it a true success that World Food Day is being celebrated this year under the theme ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.’ At a historical moment marked by deep divisions and contradictions, feeling united by the bond of collaboration is not only a beautiful ideal, but a resolute call to action.”
Continuing to stress the need to move from talking to action, the pontiff said, “We cannot be content with proclaiming values; we must embody them.” He continued “Slogans do not lift people from misery. We must place the human person above profit and guarantee food security, access to resources, and sustainable rural development.”
Established by a United Nations resolution in 1979 and first observed in 1981, World Food Day is celebrated annually on October 16. It is now one of the most widely celebrated UN observances, with events held in over 150 countries. The Day provides an opportunity for people to reflect on the responsibility to care for the land and water, support those who cultivate it, and strengthen the systems that bring food to every table.
The mission of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to defeat hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in a sustainable way while upholding the dignity of every human being. This is more important than ever in a world where conflict, the climate crisis, forced migration and a widening gap between the rich and poor, cast doubt on the goodwill of the international community to place the human person above profit in the name of justice and peace.
