Pope Francis and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida

Pope Francis

Rome/Vatican [ENA] The Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, on a visit to the Vatican, was received today, May 4, at 8.20 local time by His Holiness Pope Francis. The audience lasted about 30 minutes and in the following 55 minutes the meeting with the Secretary of State, his Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, took place. Pope Francis, in welcoming Prime Minister Kishida, expressed his intention to further consolidate bilateral

Fumio Kishida

relations between the two countries. In turn, Premier Kishida said he was honored to have been able to meet His Holiness on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Having learned that in the past the Pope had a desire to carry out missionary activity in Japan, following the example of the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier, Prime Minister Kishida thanked Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, for his particular consideration towards his country. He also thanked His Holiness for visiting Japan in 2019 and going to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hit by the atomic bombs. Prime Minister Kishida, from Hiroshima, therefore expressed his intention to collaborate with the Holy See

to create a "world without nuclear weapons", and quoted Pope Francis' message of peace and the call for the abolition of nuclear weapons, which remained deeply etched in the hearts of many Japanese citizens. His Holiness and Premier Kishida agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries in order to address the common challenges of humanity, as partners who care about peace, a "world without nuclear weapons", the protection of human rights and the environment. There was also a fruitful exchange of views on the current international and regional situation, addressing issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, East Asia, North Korea.

In reference to the situation in Ukraine, in addition to the strong condemnation for the killing of innocent civilians, both have shown themselves united in their determination to end the tragic invasion and restore peace. Finally, Prime Minister Kishida, mentioning the ballistic missile launch to the Sea of ​​Japan also carried out by North Korea, expressed concern about North Korea's activities in the field of missile and nuclear weapons tests, and appealed for His Holiness's understanding and cooperation for a quick solution to the problem of abductions of Japanese citizens perpetrated by North Korea.

Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin had a fruitful exchange of views on relations between the two countries and international cooperation, and agreed to further consolidate relations between Japan and the Holy See on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as to cooperate to address the common challenges of humanity, including the realization of a "world without nuclear weapons". Both condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and confirmed their determination to end the tragic invasion and restore peace. They therefore agreed that the use, but also the threat, of nuclear arsenals is unacceptable.

Prime Minister Kishida expressed deep concern over unilateral attempts to subvert the status quo by force in the East China Sea and South China Sea, as well as the human rights situation in Hong Kong and the Xinjang region, expressing concern of the nuclear and missile issue of North Korea, which once again launched a ballistic missile today. Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin and Prime Minister Kishida also reiterated their willingness to continue to cooperate for a resolute response to growing international tensions.