Pope to G20: Immediate and decisive action needed to eradicate world hunger

By Vatican News

Pope Francis has drawn attention to the scandal of world hunger, worsened by armed conflicts in today’s world and the enormous sums of money spent on arms and armaments rather than helping to feed three billion people as we please, without access to food or adequate nutrition. .

The pope’s words are contained in a message read by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Brazil is hosting the two-day G20 Leaders’ Summit which opened on November 18 in Rio de Janeiro with the leaders of the 19 member countries, as well as the African Union and the European Union.

Contribute to a better world

Congratulating President Lula da Silva for facilitating the meeting as current president of the Group of 20, the Pope expressed his greetings and hope to all participants that their discussions and results will truly contribute to creating a better and better world. a prosperous future for generations to come.

Ending the world hunger scandal

The Pope highlighted the immediate and paramount need to end hunger in our world, as millions continue to suffer and die of hunger, while tons of food is thrown away, quoting his speech. Fratelli Tutti Encyclical Letterhow “this constitutes a real scandal” and stressing that “hunger is a crime; food is an inalienable right”.

End wars, build lasting peace

Recognizing the problems caused by wars, conflicts and the persistence of injustices, the Pope stressed the importance of finding new ways to achieve “a stable and lasting peace in all areas linked to conflicts, with the objective of restore the dignity of those affected.” “The death and destruction caused by these wars also contributes to worsening famine and poverty, he stressed, affecting regions even far from conflicts due to the disruption of supply chains and the enormous sums of money. money spent on arms and armaments.

Facing the tragedy of famine

What is very worrying today, the Pope writes, is that the world has still not found the means to face the tragedy of famine, and this “silent acceptance” by society is “an injustice scandalous and a serious offense.” This is particularly true when they, through usury or greed, cause the starvation of their brothers and sisters, which amounts to “committing homicide”. This is why, he emphasizes, “no effort must be spared to lift people out of poverty and hunger.”

Poverty contributes to the hunger crisis

Social and economic injustices exacerbate the reality of hunger, the Pope continues, and this poverty can perpetuate “a cycle of economic and social inequalities pervasive in our global society”.

Effective measures require “concrete commitment on the part of governments, international organizations and society as a whole,” writes the Pope, and these include access to basic goods, equitable distribution of vital resources that respects “the human dignity given by God to each individual”.

Fight against food waste

Collective action is also necessary to confront the scandal of food waste, the Pope also emphasizes, because even today there is enough food to feed everyone, but it is unevenly distributed for various reasons. Efforts to address these challenges will require “a long-term vision and strategy…necessary to effectively combat malnutrition,” the Pope writes.

To this end, he offered his support that the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty could play a key role in the fight against hunger and poverty, also implementing a long-standing proposal of the Holy Headquarters calling for “redirecting funds currently allocated to weapons and other military weapons.” spending towards a global fund designed to fight hunger and promote development in the poorest countries.

Avoiding “ideological colonization”

The Pope also emphasizes the need for projects that are not imposed from the outside, but “planned and implemented in response to the needs of people and their communities.”

In conclusion, the Pope assured that the Holy See will continue its efforts to promote human dignity and will offer its own contribution through the sharing of experiences and the commitment of Catholic institutions around the world, “so that in our world no human being, as a person loved by God, is deprived of his daily bread. »