Pope calls for safe transportation of grain across the Black Sea
12.10.2026 - 11:28
The pontiff’s appeal came during Sunday prayers in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV has called on the parties to the conflict to ensure the safe transportation of grain across the Black Sea. He made the announcement during the Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square on October 11, and later repeated the appeal on social media X.
“I sincerely appeal to the parties to the conflict to ensure the safe transportation of grain across the Black Sea,” the Pope said.
The pontiff stressed that the war “in suffering Ukraine” continues to cause suffering far beyond its borders, especially in the poorest countries, “where so many people depend on grain imports.”
“The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage to war,” he added.
The scale of world markets’ dependence on Ukrainian exports is significant. Historically, Ukraine has provided about 10% of the world’s wheat, 15% of corn and 13% of barley. It is estimated that the strikes in the Black Sea blocked about 17% of the world’s grain trade.
The day before, USM wrote that the blockade of Black Sea ports could cost Ukraine 2.2% of GDP.
