Pope urges Russian 'brothers' to restore Black Sea grain deal

Pope Francis attends the mass for World day for Grandparents and the Elderly in St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican July 23, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis on Sunday called on Russia to reverse its decision to abandon the Black Sea grain deal, under which it had allowed Ukraine to export grain from its seaports despite the ongoing war.

Russia walked out of the Black Sea deal on July 17 after saying its demands to ease sanctions on its own grain and fertilizer exports had not been met. Moscow also complained that not enough grain had reached poor countries.