By Oluwakemi Kindness
Pope Leo XIV on Monday criticized what he described as the growing “bureaucratization of solidarity,” saying it is slowing down humanitarian aid to the world’s hungry while weapons continue to move freely and fuel conflicts.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome, the Pope called on the international community to increase funding for hunger relief and remove barriers preventing aid from reaching vulnerable populations.
He warned that humanitarian efforts are increasingly being weakened by excessive administrative procedures and shifting political priorities.
According to him, this growing gap between global commitments and real action is making suffering populations less visible, as economic and strategic interests take priority over human needs.
“In effect, conflicts are fed more readily than people are nourished,” he said, describing what he called a dangerous imbalance in global priorities.
The Pope also urged governments and international partners to strengthen support for organisations like the World Food Programme, which assisted over 121 million people in 2025 but has faced funding cuts in recent years.
He noted that rising global conflicts, including in the Middle East, have further complicated humanitarian operations and increased the cost of delivering aid worldwide.
