International News: Pope Francis says world suffering a ‘famine of peace’

By Aaron Humes: Speaking from the Vatican, Pope Francis stated in his annual Christmas Day message that the world is suffering from what he called a “famine of peace” and called for the end of the “senseless war” in Ukraine and the use of food as a “weapon of war,” the BBC reports.

Ukraine ships about 30 percent of the world’s wheat and prices have jumped since the Russian invasion in February.

The Pope mentioned other “regions and other theatres of this Third World War,” citing conflicts and humanitarian crises in the Middle East, Myanmar, Haiti, and the Sahel region of Africa.

The pontiff also prayed for “reconciliation” in Iran, where mass anti-government protests have swept the country for more than three months. The protests there have been met by a crackdown, with more than 500 people, including 69 children, killed, human rights groups say.

The 86-year-old Pope lamented the human cost of war. He urged not to forget those “who go hungry while huge amounts of food daily go to waste and resources are being spent on weapons”. “The war in Ukraine has further aggravated this situation, putting entire peoples at risk of famine, especially in Afghanistan and in the countries of the Horn of Africa,” he said. “We know that every war causes hunger and exploits food as a weapon, hindering its distribution to people already suffering.”

The Pope said “those who hold political responsibilities” should lead the way to make food “solely an instrument of peace”.

His message was followed by the customary Urbi et Orbi (To the City and to the World) blessing, recited in Latin and traditionally in many other languages as well.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2022, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.