Pope Leo XIV says increasing bureaucracy is slowing the delivery of humanitarian aid to people facing hunger worldwide. Speaking on Monday during a visit to the World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in Rome, the Pope criticizes what he describes as “bureaucratisation of solidarity,” arguing that administrative procedures and related obstacles delay assistance from reaching those in need.
He urges governments and individuals to increase support for efforts that address hunger and its underlying causes, while removing barriers that hinder aid access. The Pope also highlights what he calls an imbalance in political and moral priorities, noting that while humanitarian activities face delays and impediments, weapons and the resources to fuel conflicts can move more freely.
Several reports state that the Pope points to the gap between broad commitments to humanitarian action and real-world prioritization, where humanitarian funding and delivery can be affected by economic or strategic considerations. One outlet adds that the WFP provided food assistance to millions of people in 2025, even as the organization has faced funding shortfalls from major donors in recent years.
