Congress on "Food Processors Executive"

GREETING OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONGRESS ON
"FOOD PROCESSORS EXECUTIVE"

Thursday, 15 May 1997

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to the Vatican. You have wished to greet the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Peter in the ministry of faith and service which the Lord entrusted to the Apostles. I thank you for all that you do to assist the work of the Church in your respective countries.

As leaders involved in the food processing industry at the international level, you will be aware that in November of last year the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization held a World Summit here in Rome on the nutritional needs of the world, with special attention to the situation of the poor. Unhappily, hunger and malnutrition still affect millions of human beings. While some have plenty, others go hungry. I invite you to do all you can to promote the search for ways to correct this imbalance. The enormity of the task is evident, but each of us in our own way is called to give concrete expression to the concern for the poor which Jesus made the heart of the social message of the Gospel. The words of Christ must continually re-echo in our hearts: "I was hungry and you gave me food" (Mt 25:35).

Upon you and your families I invoke a fresh outpouring of divine gifts, that you may continue to show a deep personal commitment to the common good. God bless you all.