U.S. Bishops, Pope Leo Call for Nuclear Disarmament on Hiroshima Nagasaki 80th Anniversary

Marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pope Leo and U.S. Catholic bishops have strongly condemned nuclear weapons and called for nuclear disarmament and lasting peace. Pope Leo criticized the 'illusory security' provided by global nuclear deterrence, urging dialogue over threats of mutual destruction, and expressed solidarity with the survivors of the bombings, emphasizing the need to build a safer world. U.S. bishops including Cardinals Blase Cupich and Robert McElroy participated in a pilgrimage in Japan, advocating for the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and rejecting all wars and conflicts involving nuclear arms. Cardinal Cupich, presiding over a Mass for peace in Hiroshima, drew parallels between the destructive power of nuclear weapons and the societal dangers of division and hatred, calling for unity and peace. The Catholic Church's stance has evolved, with Pope Francis having previously condemned the possession of nuclear arms and supported the U.N. treaty banning such weapons, a position Pope Leo continues to uphold. These combined efforts highlight a renewed commitment by the Church to nonviolence, nuclear disarmament, and global peace in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.