Wheat cannot be used as a ‘weapon of war’, Pope says, urging lifting of Ukraine block
- Many millions of people, particularly in the world’s poorest countries, depend on wheat from the war-torn country, Pope Francis said
- Ukraine is trying to export its vast stores of grain by road, river and rail, but has no chance unless Russia lifts blockade of its Black Sea ports
Pope Francis appealed to authorities on Wednesday to lift a block on exports of wheat from Ukraine, saying the grain could not be used as a “weapon of war”.
Many millions of people, particularly in the world’s poorest countries, depend on wheat from Ukraine, Francis told a general audience of thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square, as he called for the block to be lifted.
The United Nations, which says a global food crisis is worsening, is trying to broker a deal to unblock Ukraine’s grain exports, though Western leaders have blamed Russia for holding the world to ransom by blockading Ukrainian ports.
“The blocking of exports of wheat from Ukraine is very worrying because the lives of millions of people depend on it, especially in poorer countries,” Francis said.
“I make a heartfelt appeal so that every effort is made to resolve this problem, to guarantee the universal right to nutrition. Please! Do not use wheat, a basic foodstuff, as a weapon of war,” he added, to applause from the crowd.