Hopes for a possible visit to Hiroshima by the Pope increase after cardinal tours Peace Memorial Museum
Sep. 21, 2017
by Kanako Noda, Staff Writer
On September 20, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples of the Vatican, visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward. With regard to a possible visit by Pope Francis to Hiroshima, Mr. Filoni said that he would directly convey to the Pope that the people of Hiroshima look forward to his visit and he expressed his hope that the Pope will come to the A-bombed city.
Guided by Yasuyoshi Komizo, the chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Cardinal Filoni toured the Peace Memorial Museum and made an entry in the museum’s guestbook that says he touched on the importance of peace that the people of Hiroshima have so passionately been appealing for. In an interview with the media after the museum tour, he commented that peace is his wish for Japan and the whole world and it is also his message to the people who are still inclined to wage war. He then offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims in the Peace Memorial Park.
When Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki visited the Vatican in May of this year, he made the strong request that the Pope visit Hiroshima. Cardinal Filoni arrived in Japan on September 17 at the invitation of Japan’s bishops in order to interact with Catholics in various parts of Japan. He has already visited Nagasaki and will remain in Japan until September 26.
(Originally published on September 21, 2017)
On September 20, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples of the Vatican, visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward. With regard to a possible visit by Pope Francis to Hiroshima, Mr. Filoni said that he would directly convey to the Pope that the people of Hiroshima look forward to his visit and he expressed his hope that the Pope will come to the A-bombed city.
Guided by Yasuyoshi Komizo, the chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Cardinal Filoni toured the Peace Memorial Museum and made an entry in the museum’s guestbook that says he touched on the importance of peace that the people of Hiroshima have so passionately been appealing for. In an interview with the media after the museum tour, he commented that peace is his wish for Japan and the whole world and it is also his message to the people who are still inclined to wage war. He then offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims in the Peace Memorial Park.
When Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki visited the Vatican in May of this year, he made the strong request that the Pope visit Hiroshima. Cardinal Filoni arrived in Japan on September 17 at the invitation of Japan’s bishops in order to interact with Catholics in various parts of Japan. He has already visited Nagasaki and will remain in Japan until September 26.
(Originally published on September 21, 2017)
