Biotech Updates

FAO and WFP Leaders Urged by Pope Francis to Continue Efforts to Combat Hunger

September 7, 2016

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director General Jose Graziano da Silva and World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin met with the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis on September 4, 2016 to discuss about hunger and poverty efforts. Pope Francis highlighted the inspiration of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who has been declared as a saint of the Catholic Church. He said that Mother Teresa devoted her life to help the poorest of the poor and shamed world leaders for the "crime of poverty" they have created.

"Pope Francis encouraged us to keep up the good work and as a strong advocate of the fight against hunger and malnutrition he reiterated his full disposal to help", said Graziano da Silva.

According to Cousin, Pope Francis consistently calls on the world to feed the hungry in almost all of his speeches. "His voice helps ensure the world prioritizes the global challenge of addressing hunger and malnutrition," she added.

Read the media release from FAO.