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

Marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pope Leo and U.S. Catholic bishops have issued strong calls for nuclear disarmament and lasting peace. Pope Leo criticized the perceived security of nuclear deterrence, urging the world to replace threats of mutual destruction with dialogue, echoing the shift in Church teaching initiated by Pope Francis against the possession of nuclear weapons. During a pilgrimage in Japan, Cardinal Blase Cupich and other U.S. bishops condemned all wars and nuclear arms, emphasizing the need to reject division and hatred while promoting nonviolence. Pope Leo expressed solidarity with hibakusha survivors, highlighting their stories as a powerful summons to build a safer world and reiterated that true peace requires the courageous laying down of weapons. The Catholic delegation joined representatives of 120 countries in ceremonies that reaffirm the Church's commitment to peace, nuclear disarmament, and support for victims of nuclear warfare. These messages collectively underscore the Church's renewed dedication to fostering global harmony and rejecting the devastation caused by nuclear weapons.