Shinzō Abe, the Japanese prime minister, welcomed the pope in Kantei, which houses the offices of the Japanese government.
In his speech, the diplomat assured the pope that, as a victim of the atomic bomb, Japan would guide the international community to create a world free of nuclear weapons.
During his address, Pope Francis shared a thought in agreement with the prime minister.
POPE FRANCIS
“In the footsteps of my predecessors, I have also come to implore God and to invite all persons of good will to encourage and promote every necessary means of dissuasion so the destruction generated by atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never take place again in human history.”
To that end, the pope proposed using dialogue as an instrument to resolve any type of conflict. He also advocated for international consensus to abolish nuclear weapons. Today, there are still 9,000 around the world.
POPE FRANCIS
“I am convinced of the need to deal with the nuclear question on the multilateral plane, promoting a political and institutional process capable of creating a broader international consensus and action.”
Pope Francis also confessed having been especially moved by the testimonies he heard regarding the disaster in Fukushima. Lastly, he praised the vast cultural patrimony of the country of the Rising Sun. He also admired its natural beauty, symbolized by the Japanese cherry blossom.
Ángeles Conde
Translation: Claudia Torres
