Pope's resignation: FAO Director General expresses sadness
February 16, 2013: The Director General of the Rome based United Nations’ Food and
Agriculture Organization, José Graziano da Silva has told Vatican Radio that he is
saddened by Pope Benedict’s announced resignation. Speaking to the Radio’s Portuguese
service, Mr. da Silva said the FAO has had received support from and collaborated
well with the Catholic Church on many projects in the developing world. He expressed
his confidence that the Pope's successor will continue the same sort of close collaboration
with the U.N. organization.
"First of all, I have received with sadness the
news of the resignation of the Holy Father (that he) no longer has the strength to
guide the destiny of the Church. However, I am also pleased with the innovative gesture
which recognizes that [another person] must assume this responsibility. We have always
had the support needed from the Church in the fight against hunger and poverty. Following
the teaching of the Church, we have developed many projects together such as "Zero
Hunger" in Brazil and those we now promote in Africa. I am sure that the new Pope
will continue this fundamental commitment against poverty and hunger. "