杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

At the heart of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� message to participants in the 2nd edition of the World Food Forum (WFF) was the call 鈥渘ot simply to feed the other, but to give ourselves in service to others鈥� in a spirit of 鈥渇raternity and solidarity that must inspire relations between individuals and between peoples.鈥�

The Forum at the UN Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) takes place from 17 to 21 October 2022 with a focus on 鈥淵outh Action鈥�, 鈥淪cience & Innovation鈥�, and 鈥淚nvestment".

2022: A year of unprecedented hunger

The Forum comes in a year of unprecedented hunger. UN statistics show that conflict, COVID, the climate crisis, and rising costs have combined to create jeopardy for up to 828 million hungry people across the world.

In this world of interconnected crises, the 杏MAP导航 said in his message to participants of the WFF鈥檚 opening ceremony, the message of Christ challenges us to make decisions and promote initiatives for the good and the future of all humanity.

The sacredness of bread

Extending his greeting to all those who commit themselves and strive every day to eradicate hunger and poverty in the world, 杏MAP导航 Francis said 鈥渇ood is fundamental to human life, in fact, it shares in its sacredness and cannot be treated like any other commodity.鈥�

He recalled the respect our grandparents had for bread: 鈥渢hey kissed it when they brought it to the table and did not allow anything to go to waste.

A Ukrainian couple receive food aid in the town of Lyman in Donetsk region amid the Russian invasion   (AFP or licensors)

The 杏MAP导航 said that in order to respect food and give it the pre-eminent place it has in human life, 鈥渋n addition to concern for its production, availability, and access,鈥� we must be aware that it is 鈥渁 gift of God of which we are mere stewards.鈥�

The centrality of the human person

Our first concern, he explained, must 鈥渇ocus on the human being as such, considered in his or her integrity and taking into account his or her real needs, in particular those who lack the basic sustenance for survival.鈥�

In this period of interconnected crises, he continued, Christ鈥檚 message, even for non-believers, 鈥渃hallenges us not simply to feed but to give ourselves in service to others, recognizing and guaranteeing the centrality of the human person.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 concluded his message by saying he entrusts to God the fruits of this meeting, 鈥渟o that the initiatives and decisions that contribute to the good and the future of all humanity may increase.鈥�

Displaced people from the war in Tigray receive bags of wheat   (AFP or licensors)