Nagasaki: Pope Francis has urged millions of people everywhere to have a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. He was speaking during a visit to Nagasaki in Japan, a nuclear accident site, which claimed thousands of lives in the past. The political leaders must not forget that such weapons do not help protect us from international threats.
There is an unwavering commitment on the part of the Church in its efforts to promote peace between nations. The Church considers it an obligation before God to every human in the world. We must never get tired of trying to support international law on nuclear weapons disarmament and nuclear deterrence, including the treaty on nuclear weapons.
Last July, the bishops of Japan issued a request for the annihilation of nuclear weapons. Accordingly, for ten days until August, prayer meetings for peace were held in Japanese temples. “May prayer, communication, motivation, and perseverance help our efforts to build a world of justice and solidarity that will guarantee the dawn of peace.”
The pope appealed to the political leaders, convinced that a world without nuclear weapons was possible and necessary. The fact that these weapons cannot protect us from the threats to national and international security of today must not be forgotten. The pope also invited the audience to recite the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi together.
