Pope decries nuclear weapons on Hiroshima anniversary

By CathNews New Zealand

August 8th, 2025

A south view of the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima (Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Leo XIV says nuclear weapons offend people’s shared humanity and betray the dignity of creation. Source: Vatican News.

In a message to Bishop Alexis Shirama of Hiroshima marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of that city, Pope Leo urged the international community to renew its commitment to pursue lasting peace.

The Pope’s message was read by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Francisco Escalante Molina, during the celebration of Mass for Peace in Hiroshima.

The Pope expressed his respect for the survivors – the hibakusha – whose stories he said, “are a timely summons to all of us to build a safer world and foster a climate of peace”.

The Pope recalled the appeal of his predecessor, Pope Francis: “War is always a defeat for humanity” and noted that true peace demands “the courageous laying down of weapons, especially those with the power to cause an indescribable catastrophe.

“Nuclear arms offend our shared humanity and also betray the dignity of creation, whose harmony we are called to safeguard.”

Quoting Pope Francis, the Pope said that in a time “of mounting global tensions and conflicts”, Hiroshima and Nagasaki stand as symbols of memory that, he said, “urge us to reject the illusion of security founded on mutually assured destruction”.

Instead, he continued, “we must forge a global ethic rooted in justice, fraternity and the common good”.

Pope Leo prayed that the 80th anniversary of the bombings would “serve as a call to the international community to renew its commitment to pursuing lasting peace for our whole human family — ‘a peace that is unarmed and disarming’”.

At the close of his General Audience on August 6, the Pope offered words of solidarity to survivors. “I wish to assure my prayers for all those who have suffered its physical, psychological, and social consequences,” he said.

FULL STORY

Pope: May the Hiroshima anniversary serve as a call to pursue peace – Vatican News (Vatican News)

Pope calls for nuclear disarmament, real commitment to peace | National Catholic Reporter (CNS)

Pope on Hiroshima anniversary: Let justice replace a false sense of security – Vatican News (Vatican News)

US Church on Pilgrimage for Peace to Hiroshima and Nagasaki – Vatican News (Vatican News)