Pope urges prayer and action to address global hunger in May message
VATICAN CITY — Emphasizing the contrast between widespread food waste and the persistence of hunger, Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics to dedicate the month of May to praying that everyone has enough to eat.
In his monthly “Pray with the Pope” video, prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the American pontiff announced his prayer intention focused on those who lack food and other basic necessities.
The pope expressed sorrow that millions of people— including many Christians—continue to suffer from hunger even as large amounts of food are discarded daily.
Citing the World Food Programme’s 2026 Global Outlook, he noted that an estimated 318 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity or worse this year. The report also warned that ongoing conflict in the Middle East could push an additional 45 million people into severe hunger by midyear.
In his prayer, Pope Leo XIV asked that people develop a deeper awareness of the value of food and adopt more mindful habits.
“I pray that the Lord may awaken in us a new awareness: that we learn to give thanks for every meal, to live simply, to share with joy, and to care for the fruits of the earth as a gift meant for all, not just a few,” he said.
He also called for a shift away from what he described as a culture of selfish consumption toward one rooted in solidarity. This, he said, can be expressed through concrete actions such as supporting food banks, launching awareness campaigns, and embracing more responsible lifestyles.
The pope further prayed for a renewed sense of justice and fraternity among communities, urging the faithful to see food not merely as something to consume but as a symbol of unity and care.
“May no one be excluded from the common table, and may the Spirit teach us to see bread not as an object of consumption but as a sign of communion and concern for others,” he said.
Sourced online by Tracy Cabrera/ia/xf
