Pope to UN forum: Hunger is 'crime' violating basic rights

Pope Francis has decried as criminal the existence of hunger in a world which can produce enough food for all

ROME -- Pope Francis on Monday decried as criminal the existence of hunger in a world which can produce enough food for all, building on a warning from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that climate change and conflict are a consequence and driver of poverty and income inequality. Guterres told a meeting in Rome via video message that the world’s food system generates a third of all greenhouse gas emissions. That same system is responsible for as much as 80% of biodiversity loss, he lamented in a video message. The gathering was called to help prepare for a U.N. food systems summit to be held in September in New York. In a written message that was read to meeting participants, Francis said the coronavirus pandemic has "confronted us with the systemic injustices that undermine our unity as a human family.”