Pope Leo XIV Urges More Hunger Aid as WFP Funding Falls 59% Since 2022
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jun 22
Pope Leo XIV Urges More Hunger Aid as WFP Funding Falls 59% Since 2022
3 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jun 22
Summary
At the U.N. World Food Programme in Rome, Pope Leo XIV said conflicts are being sustained more easily than people are fed, and urged governments to boost anti-hunger resources.
A roughly 59% drop in food-assistance funding since 2022 has deepened the strain, while Leo said political decisions, ideology and customs barriers still block aid even as military spending moves unhindered.
The WFP got some relief last week when the United States pledged $800 million, a contribution the agency said can help more than 38 million people in at least 37 countries.
That support still leaves the WFP's 2026 appeal of more than $10 billion severely underfunded after the Trump administration abolished USAID last year and cut $60 billion in overall assistance before partially restoring some U.N. aid in December.
Leo cast the shortfall as part of a wider breakdown in international cooperation, warning that conflict, climate stress and economic strain are becoming permanent drivers of hunger, instability and migration.
With traditional aid declining, can 'humanitarian reset' models truly feed the hungry faster?
As military budgets rise, can a divided world still unite to avert mass starvation?
Hunger at a Crossroads: Pope Leo XIV, the WFP, and the Urgent Need for Global Commitment in 2026
Overview
On June 22, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful address at the World Food Programme headquarters, urging the world to renew its commitment to ending hunger. He stressed that long-term investments and sustained efforts are essential to fight food insecurity and support human flourishing. The Pope introduced an integral vision of human development, which goes beyond meeting immediate needs and focuses on building strong, self-sufficient communities. By promoting dignity, expanding opportunities, and ensuring well-being for all, his message called for practical, holistic strategies that address the root causes of hunger and foster lasting progress.