Pope Francis recognizes Japan's hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki

Pope Francis recognizes Japan's hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki

Nagasaki, Japan - On December 1, 2024, Pope Francis received the members of the "Hidden Christian Research Association" from Japan in the Vatican. The Pope praised the significant work to maintain the "hidden Christian sites" in Nagasaki, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. In his speech, he emphasized the historical importance of these places, which symbolize the loyalty and faith of the Japanese Christians, which have been suspended for centuries. Franziskus said: "The recognition of these sites is not only an appreciation of the past, but also a lively testimony to the loyalty of so many Japanese Christians who have kept the treasure of faith over generations," reported Kathpress.

In addition, the Pope announced the appointment of Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, the Archbishop of Tokyo, the new cardinal, another sign of appreciation for the Japanese church. This appointment falls on the eve of the holiday of St. Franz Xaver, one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Japan. Francis encouraged the delegation to continue their work to preserve these significant sites, and described the preservation as not only cultural but also spiritual mandate.

Appeal for peace in Nagasaki

In another context, Pope Francis warned of an impending nuclear war during his trip to Japan. During a visit to the memorial of peace in Nagasaki, he emphasized that weapons of mass destruction could not bring peace. "Peace and international stability are incompatible with any attempt to build it on the fear of mutual destruction," he emphasized, while lit a candle and prayed for the victims of the atomic bomb in 1945. The Pope also visited the Urakami Cathedral, where thousands of believers were killed by the explosion, and closed with the words: "Do you like, may your families and the whole nation experience the rich blessing of prosperity and social harmony," as Catholic News Agency reported.

With these actions, Francis wants to keep the memory of the past awake and send an urgent call to peace and disarmament and emphasize the cultural and spiritual importance of the Christian sites in Japan.