Pope Francis on nuclear weapons

December 2, 2014

Pope Francis criticizes stalled effort toward abolition of nuclear weapons

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201412020013

By HIROSHI ISHIDA/ Correspondent

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE--Pope Francis criticized the current global situation on Nov. 30 for failing to make progress toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, in what he called the misuse of atomic power, a God-given gift of creativity.

In a news conference held on his return flight from a visit to Turkey, he told a group of reporters from Japanese media organizations, including The Asahi Shimbun, that mankind has learned no lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The pontiff, who represents the Catholic Church, made the remark when asked about next year marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the tragedies of the atomic bombings of the two Japanese cities.

Francis also expressed anxieties over ongoing wars and conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and other regions, saying that mankind is in a “piecemeal World War III.”

As for the description, he pointed out placing importance on money rather than human beings has produced political and economic problems and hostilities that exist behind the wars.

In particular, he criticized the arms industry that profits from conflicts, saying that it has become one of the most influential industries.

Regarding nuclear weapons, he looked back on the 1945 atomic bombings.

He said that God gave the gift of creativity to ignorant mankind. Civilization achieved the harnessing of atomic power, which can be used for peaceful purposes. But mankind instead has used it as a device to kill others, he said.

Even after the atomic bombings, mankind has continued to possess nuclear weapons. As for the current situation, he said that such a civilization is a new form of ignorance and should be called "terminal."

Francis said that if a terminal event occurs as a result, mankind has to start from scratch again in the same way as Hiroshima and Nagasaki did.