Benedict XVI Praises Hunger Campaign

APARECIDA, Brazil, MAY 13, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI made special mention of the world’s poor and the Fight Hunger: Walk the World campaign, during the inaugural Mass of the Aparecida conference of Latin America’s bishops.

The Pope made these comments today at the end of the open-air Mass which marks the beginning of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean. The conference will continue through May 31.

The Holy Father said: “I remember in a special way those brothers and sisters who suffer from hunger.

“In this regard I want to mention the ‘Fight Hunger: Walk the World’ event promoted by the World Food Program, the United Nations agency responsible for food assistance.

“This initiative is taking place today in many cities worldwide, including Ribeirão Preto here in Brazil.”

The walk began in New Zealand at 10 a.m., and was continued at the same time in 100 countries.

The initiative’s aim is to end the scourge of hunger that afflicts more than 850 million people, half of them children.