Pope Francis denounced the blockade of wheat exports from Ukraine during his Wednesday public audience on June 1.

The Pope expressed dismay at the blockade of harbors in Ukraine, stopping the wheat exports, “on which the lives of millions of people depend, especially in the poorest countries.” He issued “a heartfelt appeal that every effort be made to resolve this issue.”

In his brief comment on the subject, the Pope did not identify Russia as the nation that is blockading Ukrainian harbors and stopping the wheat exports.

, saying that food should never be used as a “weapon of war.”