Pope Leo XIV has called on Russia and Ukraine to ensure the safe transportation of grain through the Black Sea.
In a post on X, the pontiff said the war in "suffering Ukraine" continues to cause hardship far beyond the country's borders, particularly in the world's poorest countries, where many people depend on grain imports.
"I make a heartfelt appeal to the parties to the conflict to allow for the safe transport of grain through the Black Sea," the Pope wrote.
He emphasised that the war "daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage."
