Pope Francis Urges Russian Authorities to Restore Grain Supply in Black Sea Initiative
By C. Roubini Chinnapa9 CTC, Vatican News
In a heartfelt appeal, Pope Francis has called upon the authorities of the Russian Federation to take immediate action in restoring the vital supply of grain facilitated by the Black Sea initiative.
Speaking at the trinity prayer held in St Peter’s Square on July 30, the Pope reiterated his plea for the people of Ukraine, emphasizing the need for their well-being and safety amidst the ongoing conflict. Every Sunday, the Pontiff diligently renews his call, engaging with the pilgrims and crowds gathered after the three-day prayer program.
This past Sunday, as the prayer program drew to a close, Pope Francis beseeched for the continuation of prayers aimed at ending a devastating war that has ravaged not only lives but also the essential grain supplies. Expressing his deep concern, the Pontiff highlighted the alarming collapse of the Black Sea Initiative, which previously ensured the unhindered export of grain from ports in the region through a joint agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
“I implore my brethren, the Russian authorities, to reinstate the Black Sea initiative and ensure the safe transportation of grain,” Pope Francis solemnly proclaimed. He further emphasized that grain is a divine gift, crucial for sustaining the entire human race, and allowing its destruction due to ongoing conflicts is a grave offense against God.
The Pope also drew attention to the desperate pleas of millions of individuals suffering from hunger, acknowledging that their cries echo towards heaven. The war, which commenced on February 24, 2022, with the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine, continues to inflict immense suffering. Tens of thousands of lives have been tragically lost from both countries, with Russian forces implicated in the torment of captured Ukrainian soldiers and the senseless killings of innocent civilians.
As of June 2022, the number of internally displaced Ukrainians reached a staggering 8 million. By May 2023, over 8.2 million people had fled the nation, marking Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Throughout this harrowing ordeal, Pope Francis has consistently implored for peace in Ukraine, unwavering in his pursuit of a resolution.
Pope Francis appealed to the authorities of the Russian Federation to restore the safe supply of grain made possible by the Black Sea initiative.
C. Roubini Chinnapa9 CTC, Vatican News
On 30 July, the Pope shared his request for the restoration of the grain agreement when speaking to the pilgrims and the faithful who came to take part in the trinity prayer in St Peter’s Square. Every Sunday since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Pope renews his appeal for the people of Ukraine to the pilgrims and the crowds who have gathered after the three-day prayer program.
This Sunday, at the end of a prayer program every three years, Pope Francis appealed for continued prayers for an end to a war that destroys everything, especially grain. The Pope expressed his concern about the collapse of the Black Sea Initiative, which had allowed the export continuous supply of grain from ports in the region through a joint agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
“I appeal to my brothers, the Russian authorities, to restore the Black Sea initiative and to transport the grain safely.” The Pope added that grain is God’s gift to nurture the whole human race and that destroying a war that threatens it is a serious offense to God.
The Pope also pointed out that the cries of the millions of brothers and sisters who suffer from hunger go up to heaven. The war that started on February 24, 2022, when the Russian army invaded Ukraine, is still going on. The Ukraine-Russia war cost tens of thousands of lives from both countries. Russian forces are responsible for the torture of captured Ukrainian soldiers and mass civilian deaths.
As of June 2022, approximately 8 million Ukrainians were internally displaced. By May 2023, more than 8.2 million people had left the country. It has become Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Since the beginning of the war, Pope Francis has been constantly asking for peace in Ukraine.
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