Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the world’s inability to end hunger, describing it as a “collective failure” and an “ethical aberration.” Speaking at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 80th anniversary in Rome, he criticized a “soulless economy” that prioritizes profit over human dignity and allows millions to suffer from food scarcity.
He stated that the persistence of hunger is a moral stain on humanity, highlighting that millions continue to live and die as victims of an unjust system. The Pope urged world leaders to confront the growing inequality that allows a few to live in abundance while countless others struggle to survive. He emphasized that hunger at such a scale reflects humanity’s moral and social decline.
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Addressing representatives at the FAO, the pontiff pointed out the alarming paradox that vast quantities of food are wasted globally while people in poverty search through garbage to find something to eat. He questioned how such deep inequalities can exist in a world with enough resources to feed everyone, urging societies to rethink their economic and ethical foundations.
Pope Leo XIV also called attention to conflict-ridden countries such as Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti, Afghanistan, Yemen, and South Sudan, where hunger has become a daily reality. He reminded the international community that using starvation as a weapon of war is not only inhumane but also a war crime under international law.
Furthermore, the Pope warned that the world must awaken from what he called a “fatal lethargy” and act decisively to end hunger. He urged people to reevaluate their lifestyles and priorities, reminding them that the suffering of millions is a direct challenge to the conscience of humanity.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) recently reported that around 319 million people are facing acute food insecurity, including 44 million in emergency conditions. Severe funding cuts have forced the agency to reduce food assistance, deepening the crisis and leaving millions without essential support.