Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Pope Leo has called for increased action on global hunger, warning that conflict drives food insecurity worldwide and urging that food security be treated as global security. He emphasized that addressing hunger alleviates suffering and targets the root causes of geopolitical instability.
The Pope's remarks come as an estimated 266 million people across 47 countries experienced acute food insecurity last year. He also expressed concern about barriers to humanitarian access and a growing imbalance between resources invested in conflicts versus those in people’s welfare. He stated that conflicts are often prioritized over nourishment, indicating political and moral imbalances.
During his visit, Pope Leo laid a wreath at the World Food Programme’s memorial honoring 171 staff members who lost their lives serving vulnerable communities, and met virtually with personnel working in hunger emergencies. He thanked workers supporting communities affected by conflict, climate shocks, and displacement.
In Gaza, civilians continue to face violence from airstrikes, shelling, naval fire, and shootings in residential areas, with reports of civilian casualties. Humanitarian access remains severely limited, with the Kerem Shalom border crossing as the sole entry point for aid. Agencies call for additional crossings and the lifting of restrictions on essential goods. Recent aid shipments included food, blankets, education and recreation supplies, hygiene kits, and fuel. However, ongoing fuel shortages and a lack of lubricant oils and spare parts for generators constrain relief operations, forcing prioritization of life-saving activities.
Meanwhile, violence in the West Bank remains a significant concern, with Israeli forces reportedly shooting and killing a boy and a man among a group on Sunday.