Pope Francis urges “brothers from the Russian authorities” to resume Grain Initiative

Pope Francis called on the Russian Federation to renew the Black Sea Grain Agreement, addressing "his brothers from the Russian Federation authorities."

The Pontiff stated this, Vatican News writes.

"I appeal to my brothers, to the authorities of the Russian Federation, so that the Black Sea Initiative is restored and grain can be safely transported," noted Francis.

The Pope called on the faithful, addressing the people in St. Peter's Square, to continue praying "for martyred Ukraine, where the war destroys everything, even grain." He called it "a serious insult to God."

The leader of all Catholics said, "the cry of millions of brothers and sisters suffering from hunger goes up to heaven."

It should be noted that last week Pope Francis called to pray for peace in Ukraine, recalling the Russian night rocket attack on Odesa.

For reference:

On July 17, the Kremlin refused to extend the Grain Agreement. The press secretary of the Russian dictator Dmitriy Peskov said that the agreements regarding the Grain Initiative have actually been terminated.

After that, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, offered Türkiye and the UN to continue the Grain Initiative in a tripartite format. The state is considering the possibility of transporting food through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation warned on July 19 that any countries that sent ships to Ukrainian ports would be considered a party to the war.

At the same time, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that Russia will resume its participation in the "grain agreement" only if the West fulfills a number of demands.

In addition, Russia began to threaten civilian ships transporting food from Ukrainian ports openly. Recently, the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone.

In turn, Ukraine promised to respond in kind to Russia's threats to sink ships.