Pope’s message for World Food Day, 2009

(October 16, 2009) Ensuring adequate and healthy food to people is a concrete manifestation of the right to life, which unfortunately often remains far from being fully realized, lamented Pope Benedict XVI in a message on the occasion of this year’s World Food Day observed on Friday. The annual day on Oct. 16^th to sensitize people in combating hunger and malnutrition worldwide, is in commemoration of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, in 1945. The theme of this year’s World Food Day observance was, “Achieving Food Security in Times of Crisis.” In the message addressed to FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, the Holy Father said the theme invites all to regard agricultural work as a fundamental element in food security, and hence is an integral component of economic activity that calls for sufficient amount of investment and resources. The goods of creation that are limited by nature, the Pope explained, demand from us a responsible and effective attitude towards food security, even for the coming generations. Hence “profound solidarity and farsighted brotherhood” are needed. In order to achieve these objectives, the Pope said, a change in lifestyle and manner of thinking are required. He hoped that the international community and institutions will adequately and resolutely intervene to protect the methods of cultivation typical of every area and avoid a careless use of natural resources. The Pope particularly called for safeguarding the values of the rural world and the fundamental rights of the tillers of the land. “Setting aside privileges, profit and comfort, these goals can be realized for the benefit of men, women, children, families and communities who live in the poorest regions of the planet and who are the most vulnerable,” the Pope said.