He Pope Francisco has urged this Sunday the Russian authorities to reactivate the agreement authorizing the export of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea despite the war.
“Let us not stop praying for the martyred Ukrainewhere the war destroys everything, including wheat, and this it is a serious offense to Godbecause wheat is his gift to feed humanity, and the cries of millions of hungry brothers and sisters rise to heaven,” he said during the angelus prayerbefore thousands of people gathered in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
“I appeal to my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation, to restore the initiative of the Black Sea and wheat can be transported safely,” insisted the 86-year-old Argentine pontiff.
The export agreement, sealed in July 2022 with the mediation of Turkey and the United Nations, expired on July 17 after Moscow refused to extend it.
Russia He had been complaining for months that his interests, which included lifting barriers to exporting agricultural products and fertilizers, were not being respected.