POPE LEO: “THE DAILY BREAD OF MILLIONS CANNOT BE HELD HOSTAGE”
Pope Leo XIV has appealed for the safe passage of grain through the Black Sea, warning that Russia’s war against Ukraine is inflicting suffering far beyond the countries directly involved.
“The war in tormented Ukraine continues to cause suffering far beyond its borders, especially in the poorest countries, where so many people depend on grain imports,” the Pope said.
“I make a heartfelt appeal to the parties to the conflict to allow for the safe transport of grain through the Black Sea. The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by the war.”
The appeal comes as Russian attacks have severely disrupted Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and placed civilian shipping crews in danger. On October 5, a Russian drone struck a Turkish-owned commercial vessel carrying Ukrainian corn through the Black Sea, killing two crew members and forcing the survivors to abandon the burning ship.
Ukraine has long been known as one of the breadbaskets of the world. Its fertile farmland and enormous agricultural industry supply wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil to markets across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
When Ukraine’s ports are attacked and shipping routes become too dangerous to operate, the effects reach families thousands of miles away—particularly in poorer countries that depend heavily on imported grain.
Russia’s war is therefore reaching far beyond Ukrainian cities and battlefields. Every damaged port, destroyed warehouse and threatened grain vessel risks pushing food prices higher and taking bread from the tables of people who had no part in starting this war.