Pope in Japan: Overview of Day
Three
Our correspondent in Tokyo pieces together Pope Francis’
schedule for the third day of his Apostolic Journey to Japan.
By Devin Watkins – Tokyo, Japan
The Pope’s itinerary for Monday was packed.
Not only was it hectic, it was even filled with the most
varied events scattered throughout the city of Tokyo. Yet through it all peace
was written all over the Pope’s smiling face.
Meltdown
Pope Francis started Monday picking up the same theme he
left off with on Sunday: atomic energy.
He met with the victims of what has become known as the
“triple disaster” – the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that triggered a raging
tsunami that struck the coast of Fukushima. A series of meltdowns at a nuclear
power plant led to the evacuation of over 150 thousand people.
The Pope reminded them that they are not alone in their
pain.
Stretched protocol
Then he was whisked off for a quick meeting with Emperor
Naruhito.
What stood out was how the Emperor welcomed Pope Francis as
he stepped out of the car. Emperor Naruhito even accompanied him back to it at
the end of their 30-minute meeting.
Some observers called it a stretch of protocol that showed
in what high regard Japan’s Emperor holds the Pope.
Bullying
But it was with the young people of Japan that Pope Francis
really came alive.
He spoke passionately about the challenges facing today’s
youth. Bullying, he noted, makes life nearly unbearable at the
already-difficult period of adolescence.
So he sought to calm those young people’s fears with his
off-the-cuff humor.
Directing peace
What was perhaps Pope Francis’ most touching message was
delivered at Mass.
In a frenetic society where work
holds higher value than religion, Christians must step back and refocus our
attention on Jesus Christ.
As one
Jesuit missionary put it, the people of Japan are already well-disposed to
seeking peace of heart. The Pope did his part to give their search a Christian
direction.
Silent faith
The icing on the cake was a visit with Japan’s civil
authorities.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe touched hearts as he recounted how
a priest discovered the existence of “hidden Christians” who had passed on the
Catholic faith in silence through 7 generations.
It was definitely a whirlwind day. But Pope Francis
nonetheless carried his characteristically Christian sense of peace to every
place he passed.
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