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Speaking at a time of increasing humanitarian needs and shrinking resources, the Pope warned that conflict continues to drive food insecurity across the world and stressed that Food security must be treated as a global security issue.
“Meeting these needs not only alleviates suffering but also addresses the underlying causes of geopolitical instability,” he said said.
This visit comes at a time when global hunger remains at alarming levels, as an estimated 266 million people in 47 countries faced acute food insecurity last year.
The imbalance is getting bigger
Pope Leo also expressed concern over obstacles to humanitarian access and the increasing imbalance between investment in conflict and investment in human capital.
“As a result, conflict is easier to ‘feed’ than to be fed by society,he said. “This reality reflects not only operational deficiencies but also a fundamental imbalance in political and moral priorities.”
During his visit, the Pope laid a wreath at WFPa memorial wall honoring the 171 staff members who lost their lives while serving vulnerable communities around the world.
He also met virtually with staff responding to hunger emergencies and thanked employees for their work in supporting communities affected by conflict, climate shocks and displacement.
Access to aid and fuel shortages exacerbate humanitarian tensions in Gaza
Civilians across Gaza continue to face airstrikes, shelling, naval gunfire and shelling of residential areas, according to the report United Nations Office of Assistance Coordination (OCHA)with reports over the weekend indicating that civilians were among those killed.
Humanitarian access is still very limited. The Kerem Shalom border crossing is currently the only entry point for aid into Gaza. Humanitarian agencies continue to call for additional crossings to be opened and restrictions on essential goods lifted.
Over the weekend and into Monday morning, relief teams collected shipments including food, blankets, educational supplies, recreational equipment for children, cleaning supplies and fuel.
But limited fuel imports continue to hamper aid efforts, forcing humanitarian partners to prioritize life-saving services, and suspend support for less essential activities. A shortage of lubricating oil and difficulty in obtaining spare parts for generators further complicates operations.
“We continue to call for additional crossing points to be opened, and for restrictions to be lifted for restricted goods.” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Ongoing violence in the West Bank
Meanwhile, violence in the West Bank remains at an alarming level.
According to humanitarian partners, Israeli forces shot and killed a boy and a man on Sunday who were reportedly among a group burning tires and throwing Molotov cocktails towards a settlement in Hebron.
“In the context of law enforcement in the West Bank, lethal force can only be used as a last resort,” the spokesperson said.
Families returned to southern Lebanon
Families displaced by months of hostilities in Lebanon are starting to return to the south of the country, even as widespread destruction, damaged infrastructure and limited access to basic services continue to affect daily life.
According to United Nations Office of Assistance Coordination (OCHA)some families returned directly to their communities, while others moved closer to home and waited for conditions to improve before deciding whether they could return permanently.
“Families displaced by months of hostilities are starting to return to the south, despite widespread destruction, damaged infrastructure and limited access to basic services,” said UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.
Uncertainty still exists
But for many people, uncertainty remains. “Some families are moving closer to their home areas and waiting for conditions to improve before making a final decision on what to do next,” he said.
Although violence has decreased significantly in recent days, the impact of the conflict is still being felt across Lebanon.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, 83 people were killed and 141 injured on June 19 alone. Since the escalation of hostilities on March 2, more than 4,100 people have been reported killed and more than 12,100 injured.
“We continue to call for the protection of civilians, sustainable humanitarian access and conditions that allow displaced families to return to their homes voluntarily, safely and with dignity” the spokesperson said.
