SA国际传媒

By SA国际传媒

Pope Francis begins his message by referring to the theme for this year鈥檚 SA国际传媒 Food Day: 鈥淥ur Actions Are Our Future. Healthy Diets for a #ZeroHunger SA国际传媒鈥�. The Pope notes that 鈥渄espite efforts made in recent decades, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is yet to be implemented in many parts of the world鈥�. 

Food wasted or consumed in excess

Pope Francis calls attention to the 鈥渄istorted relationship between food and nutrition鈥�. He cites the fact that while 820 million people suffer from hunger in the world, 鈥渁lmost 700 million are overweight鈥�. He calls it a 鈥渃ruel, unjust and paradoxical reality鈥� that there is food for everyone and yet not everyone has access to it. The Pope laments the fact that 鈥渇ood is wasted, discarded and consumed in excess, or destined for other purposes than nutrition鈥�.

Pathologies of excess

Poor nutrition gives rise to pathologies caused by 鈥渆xcess鈥�, says the Pope, giving the examples of 鈥渄iabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other forms of degenerative diseases鈥�, but also by 鈥渄eficiency鈥�, as documented by 鈥渁n increasing number of deaths from anorexia and bulimia鈥�.

A simple and sober lifestyle

This reality calls for a conversion in our way of living and acting, adds the Pope. 鈥淣utritional disorders can only be combatted by the cultivation of lifestyles inspired by gratitude for the gifts we have received and the adoption of a spirit of temperance, moderation, abstinence, self-control and solidarity鈥�.

By adopting a more 鈥渟imple and sober lifestyle鈥�, continues Pope Francis, we 鈥済row in a fraternal solidarity that seeks the common good and avoids the individualism and egocentrism that serve only to generate hunger and social inequality鈥�. 

Role of the Family

Pope Francis goes on to stress the primary role played by the family.  鈥淲ithin the family, and thanks to the particular sensitivity and wisdom of women and mothers, we learn how to enjoy the fruits of the earth without abusing it鈥�, he writes.

The bread of the poor

Pope Francis concludes his message for SA国际传媒 Food Day by stating that 鈥渢he battle against hunger and malnutrition will not end as long as the logic of the market prevails and profit is sought at any cost鈥�. Our first concern should always be the human person, writes the Pope: 鈥淲e must come to realize that what we are accumulating and wasting is the bread of the poor鈥�.