Pope Calls for Peace on 80th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Attacks

Vatican, August 7, 2025: On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Pope Leo XIV issued a powerful plea for the world to abandon its reliance on nuclear weapons and embrace justice, dialogue, and fraternity as the true foundations of peace.

Speaking at the conclusion of his General Audience, the Pope recalled the devastating events of 6 August 1945, which claimed the lives of tens of thousands and left countless others with lasting physical, psychological, and social wounds. He expressed his continued prayers for all those affected by the bombings of both Hiroshima and, three days later, Nagasaki.

Reflecting on the passage of time, Pope Leo remarked, “Those tragic events remain a universal warning against the devastation caused by war—and particularly by nuclear weapons.” Despite the eight decades that have passed, he stressed that their lessons are more relevant than ever in today’s world, which he described as plagued by deep divisions and violent conflicts.

He condemned the prevailing global mindset that clings to a “false sense of security based on the threat of mutual destruction,” urging instead a transition towards lasting peace rooted in justice and fraternal trust.

The Pope’s appeal followed a message he had sent to the Bishop of Hiroshima on the occasion of the city’s Mass for Peace. In Japan, commemorations were held at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, where representatives from a record 120 countries and regions gathered. A solemn moment of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m.—the exact time the bomb was dropped—serving as a collective act of remembrance and a renewed call for peace.

Courtesy: Vatican News

Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates: 

Android: Click here to download

iOS: Click here to download