While in Nagasaki, Pope Francis visited one of the most sacred places for Christians in the country, Nishizaka Hill.
This is where the first Japanese Jesuit, St. Paul Miki and 25 other Christians were martyred and crucified in 1596.
This grand monument with life-sized statues celebrates their memory and keeps them as an example for others, because they died forgiving their assassins.
The pope put a wreath of flowers in front of the relics.
POPE FRANCIS
“May it not remain as a glorious relic of the past, to be kept and honored in a museum, but rather as a living memory, an inspiration for the works of the apostolate and a spur to renewed evangelization in this land. May we free ourselves daily from whatever weighs us down and prevents us from walking in humility, freedom, parrhesia and charity.”
The pope also remembered the rest of the martyrs, and the thousands of Christians that are persecuted or harassed for believing in God, today.
POPE FRANCIS
“Let us pray with them and for them. Let us speak out and insist that religious freedom be guaranteed for everyone in every part of our world. Let us also condemn the manipulation of religions.”
The rain at the end of the tribute was not overwhelming, so Pope Francis was able to say personal goodbyes to some of the people before leaving.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Translated: Rachel Dobrzynski
