Pope Recognizes Food Crisis

ROME (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday said Christians must help to ease the global food crisis which has seen soaring prices increase hunger in many poor countries. "Those who nourish themselves with the bread of Christ cannot remain indifferent in the face of those who, even in our days, lack daily bread," the pontiff said. Catholics believe that they receive the body and blood of Christ when taking the Eucharist bread and wine. The Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in June is hosting a three-day, international summit on the food crisis, which has triggered riots and other protests in some poor nations. Benedict said the Catholic Church, which operates charities worldwide, was committed to initiatives aimed at ensuring that no one lacks life's necessities.