Pope Francis Prays for Hiroshima and Nagasaki Victims

ROME — During his weekly Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis commemorated the victims of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, emphasizing the need for peace in a world plagued by conflict. Addressing the crowd in Saint Peter’s Square, he urged prayers for those affected by wars, particularly in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other troubled regions. The pontiff has consistently condemned the bombings, which he views as acts driven by a U.S. desire for dominance rather than a genuine effort to end the war. Pope Francis announced plans to visit Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where he intends to pray for the victims and advocate for nuclear disarmament. He expressed a desire to meet survivors, known as Hibakusha, who bear the scars of the bombings and serve as vital witnesses to the horrors of that time. The pope highlighted the ongoing suffering of these individuals as a reminder of the moral obligation to support those in distress and to promote healing and reconciliation. In previous statements, Francis has called for the destruction of nuclear weapons, framing them as a threat to humanity. He has also shared poignant reminders of the bombings' impact, including distributing postcards featuring a haunting image of a young boy carrying his deceased brother after the Nagasaki bombing. While he has focused on the suffering caused by the atomic bombings, he has notably refrained from addressing Japan's wartime atrocities, such as the Nanking Massacre.