Message for the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Pope Leo XIV addressed the Japanese people on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He expressed his closeness to the survivors—the “hibakusha”—and emphasized that their testimonies “continue to transmit to present and future generations the truth of what happened and the horror of war.”

He recalled that “the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is, today more than ever, a crime, not only against the dignity of human beings, but also against any possible future in our common home.”

Echoing the teachings of his predecessors, he affirmed: “Peace is not built with weapons, but by building bridges; it is not defended with threats, but with trust.” Finally, he reiterated the Church’s call for the total elimination of nuclear weapons and for peace education.

Video Message to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention

In his message to the 143rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, held in Washington, the Pope encouraged its members to be “heralds of hope in a world marked by deep wounds.”

In the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope, Leo XIV recalled that “Christian hope is not naive optimism, but certainty anchored in the fidelity of God.”

He praised the organization’s charitable work and its inspiration from Blessed Michael McGivney, noting that “concrete charity and sincere fraternity remain the pillars of Christian witness.”

In a pastoral tone, he added: “Today more than ever, the world needs communities that build networks of solidarity, that welcome migrants, that defend the life and dignity of every person.”

Video message to the Congress on Pastoral Care and Theology in Africa

The Pope also addressed the Third Congress on Pastoral Theology for Africa and its Diaspora, held in Tanzania. Through Cardinal Protase Rugambwa, he delivered a message expressing his profound esteem for the African Church and its vital role in the life of global Christianity.

“Africa is not only a continent to receive from, but also a gift to offer to the entire world,” he said.

He encouraged the participants not to lose sight of the centrality of God’s love in all pastoral work, since “only the love of Christ can awaken a firm and fruitful hope in hearts.”

Finally, he called on bishops and church leaders to foster unity amid social and political polarization, recalling that “ecclesial communion is not uniformity, but harmony in diversity.”

A common thread: active hope

In these three messages—to contexts as diverse as Japan, the United States, and Africa—Leo XIV makes his priority clear: to foster an active hope that is not evasive, but deeply committed to peace, fraternity, and human dignity.

With firm words and pastoral gestures, he invites the entire Church to “look to the present with responsibility and to the future with confidence,” convinced that “the light of Christ can dispel even the darkest nights of history.”