Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition

In Memory of Pope Francis:
A Moral Beacon for Nuclear Disarmament

Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University (RECNA)
April 22, 2025

≫ Japanese

The Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition at Nagasaki University (RECNA) mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a tireless advocate for peace and one of the world’s most powerful moral voices against nuclear weapons.

Pope Francis will be remembered as a global conscience in the struggle for nuclear disarmament, whose declaration resounded worldwide:

“The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possession of atomic weapons is immoral.” ¹

These words, delivered during his historic visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in November 2019, marked a pivotal moment in the global movement to eliminate nuclear weapons. Standing at the hypocenter of the atomic bombing in Nagasaki, Pope Francis offered a message that continues to echo through disarmament efforts:

“Peace and international stability are incompatible with attempts to build upon the fear of mutual destruction or the threat of total annihilation.”²

The Holy Father warned against the false security offered by nuclear deterrence, which is rooted in fear and mistrust and obstructs genuine dialogue between peoples and nations. His call for a “global ethic of solidarity and cooperation” resonates with RECNA’s belief that peace is only possible through trust, dialogue, and mutual respect.

Moreover, Pope Francis condemned the vast sums of money spent on weapons of mass destruction, calling them “an affront crying out to heaven.”³ Under his leadership, the Holy See was among the first signatories and ratifying parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), lending profound moral authority and global visibility to the humanitarian imperative behind nuclear abolition.

His Holiness’ presence in Nagasaki brought hope to hibakusha and to all those dedicated to building a future free from the threat of nuclear war. His call to be “peacemakers” is a legacy that RECNA will strive to honor in its work.
May his memory strengthen our resolve for peace and inspire renewed global efforts to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons.