Pope’s message for World Food Day

(October 17, 2011) The efforts of governments and the various components of the international community should be oriented towards effective choices, convinced that freedom from the scourge of hunger and malnutrition is the first concrete expression of that right to life which, although solemnly proclaimed, often remains far from being effectively implemented. Pope Benedict XVI made the point in a message for the United Nations World Food Day, which was marked on Oct. 16. However, the day being a Sunday, the annual observance was marked the following day, Monday, with a ceremony at the Rome-based UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO. The Pope’s message addressed to FAO director general Jacques Diouf, was read out at the ceremony by the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the FAO, Mgr. Luigi Travaglino. In his message, the Pope remembered the “many victims of hunger in the Horn of Africa”, saying in such situations where entire communities starve to death and are forced to leave their native lands, it is certainly essential to provide immediate help. But at the same time medium and long-term interventions are also required to ensure the international action is not limited to emergency response. The theme of this year’s World Food Day was “Food prices – from crisis to stability”. In this regard, Pope Benedict XVI insisted that food should not be considered like other goods subject to speculation. In the fight against hunger and malnutrition, the Pope urged for sentiments and values such as compassion and humanity accompanied by solidarity and justice. He also called for a more responsible attitude that inspires a change in lifestyle with an eye to the future generations in terms of sustainability, protecting creation, equal distribution of the earth resources and concrete commitments for the development of entire peoples and nations.