Faith Leaders from Various Traditions Gather on Eve of Pope Francis' Visit to Call for an End to Hunger by 2030

Photo: Marco Grimaldo

On Monday, Sept. 21, on the eve of Pope Francis’ arrival in the United States, more than 100 top leaders from all major faith families in the U.S. met in Washington, D.C., to call for a shift in the country’s national priorities. The event, “Interfaith Religious Leaders Summit - End Hunger by 2030,” is part of a larger movement in the faith community to end hunger and poverty by 2030.

"The faith leaders welcome Pope Francis and his call to pray and work for the end of hunger, said an official statement from organizers. "They believe that ending hunger by 2030 'seems unlikely' unless we can achieve a shift in U.S. national priorities by 2017, so that our next president and Congress help put our nation and the world on track toward ending hunger.”

Photo: Marco Grimaldo

This morning, Sept. 22, some of the faith leaders held a press conference to release a joint statement and report on their summit.

The faith leaders who participated in the press conference were:
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, Roman Catholic Church
Bishop Lawrence Reddick III, Presiding Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Commissioner David Jeffrey, National Commander, The Salvation Army in the United States
Ruth Messinger, President, American Jewish World Service
Anwar Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Relief
Rev. David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World (Moderator)

Photo: Marco Grimaldo

"Those who spoke were united in the belief that ending hunger and poverty by 2030 was an achievable goal in our lifetime. The faith leaders gathered at the National Press Club for a press conference to amplify their call through the media," said Bread for the World. (Read more).

Photo: Marco Grimaldo