Pope Leo presses governments to shift funds from war to hunger

Pope Leo used a visit to the World Food Programme headquarters in Rome on June 22 to urge governments to put more resources into fighting hunger instead of war. He argued that food aid is being blocked by political choices and geopolitical limits even as military spending continues. The appeal came as the WFP warned that acute food insecurity is likely to worsen between June and November in 13 countries because of conflict, funding gaps and climate shocks. The agency, the world’s biggest food aid provider, is seeking $13 billion in donations for 2026. The United States, its largest donor, pledged $800 million last week after earlier cuts had sharply reduced planned funding.