Pope calls for radical food-production rethink

(ANSA) - Vatican City, January 31 - Pope Francis called for a radical rethink in the way food is produced during an audience with Italian farmers' association Coldiretti on Saturday. "The basis of the system of producing and distributing food must be rethought," the pope said. The Argentine pontiff blasted "absolutizing market rules, a culture of waste and waste that in the case of food has unacceptable proportions, together with other factors, cause misery and suffering for many families".
    He also stressed that it was important to remember that humankind is called not only to cultivate the land, but also to preserve it. In a time of climate change the Pope noted, this is difficult, that is why, he said, it is so vital that nations are able to work together to protect creation.
    The pope told the farmers to "continue to produce good food for lives of everyone... even when climate stability is in danger, when the air, water and the soil lose their purity because of pollution". In a hard-hitting address, the Argentine pontiff added: "Let's not be like those people without feelings who end up selling their mothers, let's not give in to the temptation to sell our Mother Nature".