Pope Francis asked nations to end their nuclear arms race. It is the first visit by a Pope to Japan in 38 years. He visited the only two cities ever to experience a nuclear attack - Nagasaki and Hiroshima. While in Nagasaki, the Pope condemned the "unspeakable horror" of nuclear weapons. Nagasaki suffered widespread death and destruction as it was destroyed at the end of World War II. Francis laid a wreath and prayed at a memorial. Over 140,000 people perished in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, while 74,000 people lost their lives in the Nagasaki bombing three days later.
The Pope spoke to world leaders. They seem intent on building their nuclear arsenals. He said he was convinced that a world without nuclear weapons is possible and necessary. He said these weapons cannot protect us from current threats to international security. He condemned the amount of money spent on weapons. He said: "In a world where millions of children and families live in inhumane conditions, the money that is squandered and the fortunes made through the manufacture, upgrading, maintenance and sale of ever more destructive weapons, are an affront."