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Pope Francis’ message to the participants
in the VIII Global Conference of the World Rural Forum
[Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, February 19-21, 2024]
His Excellency Mr. Martín Uriarte Zugazabeitia, President of the World Rural Forum,
I warmly welcome you to the Eighth Global Conference of the World Rural Forum, entitled “Family Farming: Sustainability of our Planet”.
Farming families are commendable for the supportive way in which they work, as well as for the respectful and sensitive way they care for the land.
In this sense, they are key to making agri-food systems more inclusive, resilient and efficient.
Unfortunately, despite their leading role in the progress of their peoples and their significant contribution to global food production, they continue to be affected by poverty and lack of opportunity.
Aware of the complex challenges that they face on a daily basis, I would like to address a word of encouragement to the families of small farmers and to assure them of the Church’s closeness, reiterating the call to respond to their human, spiritual and social needs, as well as to their technical needs (cf. Messageon the occasion of World Food Day 2014).
The family business, in addition to being a productive entity, is the place where people belong, the place where they feel understood and valued in themselves for their dignity, not only for what they produce or for the results they achieve.
Hence the importance of strengthening the bonds that unite its members, of respecting their religious traditions, their cultural heritage and their agricultural practices.
I would also like to highlight the irreplaceable role of the female genius in this context.
Rural women represent a sure compass for their families, a firm foothold for economic progress, especially in developing countries, where they are not only beneficiaries but also real drivers of progress in the societies in which they live.
Nor can I forget the place of young people in agriculture.
The real revolution for a food future begins with educating and empowering the new generations.
The gift that young people give us “is to offer innovative solutions to address old problems and to not allow ourselves to be limited by short-sighted thinking that resists change” (Message to the Director-General of FAO on the occasion of the opening of the World Food Forum, 1 October 2021).
Mr President, may God bless the deliberations of this meeting, so that, recognizing the role of the rural family, we may make progress in the eradication of hunger, the reduction of inequalities, and the care and protection of our planet.
From the Vatican, 12 February 2024
FRANCIS
