On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Pope Leo XIV closed his General Audience reflecting on the tragedy that claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Newsroom (06/08/2025 Gaudium Press ) On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, Pope Leo XIV closed his General Audience with a poignant reflection on the tragedy that claimed tens of thousands of lives on August 6, 1945. He also noted the upcoming anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing, just three days later, calling both events enduring reminders of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.
In a message of solidarity, the Pope assured his prayers for those who endured the physical, psychological, and social scars of the bombings. “Those tragic events remain a universal warning against the devastation caused by war—and particularly by nuclear weapons,” he said, emphasizing their relevance in today’s world of heightened divisions and violence.
Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo called for a rejection of the “false sense of security based on the threat of mutual destruction.” He advocated for a global shift toward justice, open dialogue, and trust in fraternity as the foundation for lasting peace.
Hiroshima’s Memorial and Papal Message
The Pope’s remarks followed his message to Bishop Alexis Shirama of Hiroshima, read by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Francisco Escalante Molina during a Mass for Peace in the city. In Japan, a record 120 countries and regions joined Hiroshima’s annual ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park, observing a moment of silence at 8:15 a.m., the precise time of the 1945 detonation.
“Nuclear arms offend our shared humanity and betray the dignity of creation, whose harmony we are called to safeguard,” Pope Leo declared in his message. He paid tribute to the hibakusha—survivors of the bombings—whose stories, he said, serve as “a timely summons to all of us to build a safer world and foster a climate of peace.”
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, carried out by U.S. forces during World War II, resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 246,000 deaths. The Pope described the cities as “living reminders of the profound horrors wrought by nuclear weapons.”
A Call to Disarm
Echoing his predecessor, Pope Francis, who famously stated, “War is always a defeat for humanity,” Pope Leo urged the international community to pursue “the courageous laying down of weapons, especially those with the power to cause an indescribable catastrophe.” He criticized the illusion of security rooted in mutually assured destruction, calling instead for a “global ethic rooted in justice, fraternity, and the common good.”
The Holy Father concluded with a prayer that the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima’s bombing would inspire renewed global commitment to “a peace that is unarmed and disarming,” uniting humanity in pursuit of a safer, more just world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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