Comment on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

                                                                                                                                                                             Yoshihiko Noda 

                                                                                                                                                                             President

                                                                                                                The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan

I cannot help but feel deep sorrow upon hearing the news of the passing of Pope Francis, the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church and head of the Vatican City State.  During his term of office, the Pope upheld the ideal of a “Church close to the poor” and delivered a powerful message that transcended the boundaries of religion on global issues such as climate change, inequality, and immigrant protection.

For Japan, the Pope’s visit to Japan in 2019 was a historic event, and his appeal for a “nuclear-free world” in Hiroshima and Nagasaki resonated deeply with many Japanese citizens. I would like to express my deepest respect for the Pope’s continued compassion for people until the very end.

I would like to express my sincere condolences and sincerely hope that the Pope’s legacy will become the foundation for world peace and coexistence.