Pope Leo's Call for Nuclear Disarmament Resounds at Hiroshima Anniversary

In a poignant address on Wednesday, Pope Leo challenged the perceived safety net of global nuclear deterrence, marking the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. His words echo the somber memory of devastation that haunted Japan on August 6, 1945.

Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff, urged the world to abandon the notion of 'illusory security' founded on mutual destruction threats. Instead, he championed dialogue as a pathway to conflict resolution, a sentiment that shifts away from traditional Catholic acceptance of nuclear deterrence in the post-Cold War era.

The call comes amid a commemoration ceremony in Hiroshima and aligns with actions by Pope Francis, who actively supported a U.N. nuclear ban treaty. As representatives from 120 countries convened to honor those lost, Catholic bishops joined in denouncing wars and advocating for nuclear disarmament.

(With inputs from agencies.)