Pope warns bureaucracy hindering global aid efforts

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Rome: Pope Leo XIV criticized the ‘progressive bureaucratisation of solidarity’ on Monday, warning that complex procedures are delaying vital aid to the world's hungry.

Speaking at the World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in Rome, the Pope urged the international community to remove obstacles that prevent aid from reaching those in need.

The pontiff highlighted a significant moral imbalance, noting that humanitarian concerns are often ignored while weapons move freely into conflict zones. He stated that ‘conflicts are fed more readily than people are nourished’.

This appeal comes as the WFP, which assisted 121 million people in 2025, faces severe operational challenges. The organization has been hit by steep funding cuts from the US and Europe, while the war in the Middle East has increased logistical costs and complexities. The Pope called for governments to increase resources and prioritize combating hunger.