Pope Leo XIV sent a message on 12 October 2026 to Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), for World Food Day, celebrated on 16 October under the theme «Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow».
In the message, the Pope argues that innovation should not mean only new devices or algorithms, and that technology which depletes the soil or drives farmers from their land is not progress. He recalls that access to safe, adequate and sufficient food is a basic human right, and calls for a long-term vision that combines technology with farmers’ traditional knowledge of soil and climate.
Leo XIV also asks that water be protected as a common good and that more resources go to sustainable agricultural research and the restoration of degraded soils. The Holy See pledges continued support for FAO initiatives.
