The comment by participants who attended the meeting for peace vol.2Hiroshima for Global Peace

Pope's visit to Hiroshima (The comment by participants)The comment by participants who attended the meeting for peace vol.2

On November 24 (Sun), Pope Francis visited Hiroshima and the meeting for peace was held. The high school student who participate in 2019 Hiroshima Junior International Forum and Future Leaders’ Program for Global Peace attended the meeting. Comments by high school students are posted without editing.

On November 24th 2019, the Holy Father visited Hiroshima for the first time in 38 years.
Fortunately, I was able attend “Pope of Hiroshima 2019” and it became one of the most important events in my life.
First, I heard the testimony’s words that tell what happened on August 6th 1945 and appeal the need of nuclear abolition. I was moved by Yoko Kajimoto’s words, “Come to Hiroshima, Hear the testimonies’ stories, and
then, do you still think nuclear weapons are necessary?” This is the same as what I always think, so I hope these words would reach as many people in the world as possible.
After that, the Holy Father gave his own speech. It was the best speech that I’ve ever heard, and every single word he said displayed his deep knowledge of the past and current situation around nuclear weapons and his firm
principles toward building a peaceful world. His speech represented the voices of numerous people in this world who wishes for peace and also told what we should actually do to stop the destruction of this world.
Hiroshima is the place where hold the memories of the tragedy and that memory is the key to remind the people of the line that we should not cross, he said. I agree to him and believe that Hiroshima and Nagasaki can move
people emotionally rather than rationally, and give power to promote peace-building. He also strongly asserted that the peace achieved by holding weapons is an illusion and a lie, and it’s a total crime to use nuclear
power for wars. I thought this makes difference because he influences some 1.3 billion Catholic in the world.
Understanding, tolerance, and cooperation. He told us that these three things have the power to get over the differences that we have, and it is young generation that change the future. I hope to be a great person who
responsibly work hard to realize peaceful world for the future, like he said.

I attended a welcome ceremony for the Pope. I was deeply impressed to listen to his speech.It’s not only that we must each take some action,but we must also think about necessary things to make a peaceful world. In addition,we who are young must bear the future of the world on our shoulders.Also,we need to have an awareness of being future leaders.

I was overwhelmed by the Pope’s speech so much. The reason why I felt so is that the speech’s content was the thing which I wanna say for the society and also I didn’t expect that he has such feelings for nuclear weapons and war. Many people pay attention to Pope’s speech and he said. I was so glad and I expect that many countries will change the perspective on nuclear weapons.

It was my great honor to be able to participate in the gathering at the precious opportunity of the Pope visiting Japan. His message toward “Realization of a nuclear-free world” strengthened my determination that we young people must continue to work from here, Hiroshima, to achieve a peaceful world.

The Pope mentioned that he respects to the strength of those people who were exposed to the atomic bomb in the speech. Also he said he want to be a voice instead of those people who can’t speak their opinions because of their poverty. From those phrases I could soon imagined that the Pope always think of and support the weak which means people who have burden. Throughout the Pope’s speech, I thought his way of thinking is always related to Christianity, and I felt the thinking of “Love your neighbor” is underlay.

I am impressed by the words of Pope of Rome “The use of nuclear energy for war is nothing more than crime in modern times.” “True peace can only be unarmed peace.” When I listened to the speech of Pope of Rome, I really thought nuclear weapons mustn’t exist in this world. Thus I’ll start what I can do to make a real peaceful world. I am really honored to participate in the ceremony. Thank you.

Before I heard the speech of the pope Francisco, I didn’t think that his speech would be so close to what Hiroshima citizens has been thinking. He stressed the importance of moving the words into action, and through the Mirai- Jyuku, I hope I could be the leader within our generation acting toward peace.

From his words,I felt a strong will for peace.I would like to make use of this valuable and meaningful experience in future peace operations.

The Pope’s speech resonated with my heart. In addition, I thought that it was meaningless if I did not just think about peace but take action.

Seeing Pope and A-bomb survivor hag, I realized the true meaning and importance of the religion. His word, “Atomic power is nothing but a crime” left me a strong impression.

I participated in the pickup of Pope Francis in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on November 24. There were about 2500 people. I was one of them and I was most honored. He said “Peace message”. I thought everything he said was very warm and there were no political words. The remark moved me. I felt that sacred time passed. I was most honored to have experienced what we can have only once in a lifetime.