politics

Abe, Pope Francis discuss peace, stability in Asia

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The more this guy promotes the expanded use of the so-called "self-defence forces" and the elimination of Article 9, and the more he pushes for greater weapons sales to boost his corporate backers' profits, the more he likes to talk about peace and bask in the sunlight of the new pope. Maybe soon he'll take to wearing white suits.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

'This meeting between Abe and Popw Francis is a signal that ABE is -This meeting between Abe and Popw Francis is a signal that ABE is committed to peaceful co-existence & human rights. from what we can see in his domestic and foreign policy that has been a marked positive shift.. from what we can see in his domestic and foreign policy that has been a marked positive shift.'

Very strange conclusion. Previous popes have also granted an audience to people like Robert Mugabe. I don't think that was a signal of being 'committed to peaceful co-existence & human rights'.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Abe thanked Francis for his support in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Huh? Francis was not Pope in March of 2011.

Japanese Catholics are now estimated to number around 440,000 out of a population of some 127 million people.

Probably why I got strange looks, and/or was told I had dirt on my forehead every Ash Wednesday.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I'm a Shinto just as the Prime Minister and I see no objection to meet with such a distinguished figure like Pope Francis. Out of respect for Japanese Catholics too.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

hope Abe is not just showing off to the world that he also recognizes humble (religious) leaders like Pope Francis, but that he will get good, important lessons to the challenges he have to deal with.. especially as he is now on the verge of militarizing asia, which can be a good balancing strategy against the rising neighbor, but on the contrary, can also become a sad repetition of the story that also led to the end of WWII.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

'Say what you will... there is no other spiritual leader less discriminatory, or judgmental, or less political than the Catholic... no other more vocal. If it's followers attempt to adhere the same principals, this world's Peace holds hope.'

This pope appears less discriminatory or judgmental only in comparison to the extremely discriminatory and judgmental views of most in the hierarchy of Catholic Church. The views this pope or most 'spiritual' or religious leaders would be regarded as extremely exclusive, judgmental and narrow-minded to those outside it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

">OssanAmericaJun. 09, 2014 - 09:34PM JST

"Francis will travel to South Korea on August 13-18."

Maybe his Holiness can give a speech about the concept of "forgiveness"?"

I would suggest that his holiness would need to hold a confessional for the Japanese govt. first.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes, indeed- and this Pope also met Barack Obama although the Pope's stance is categorically and diametrically opposed to Obama's on abortion. . . The Church's objection i n these meetings is to PROMOTE human rights ( from conception to natural death) non violence, gender equity, fair distribution of goods, programs to empower the indigent, and so on . . . .ABE has continued to speak at ALL international forums on his commitment to peaceful co-existence and non aggression. ERGO - it is a signal - - NOTE, also , the genuine warmth expressed between these 2 leaders . . . very very different from the cool reception Obama received.

Semperfi -- what are you talking about??? Obama was the Pope's first official state visit, and lasted nearly an hour, and was described as "cordial". And, yes, the issue of abortion was on the agenda, which means the visit was more than just symbolic, as you would expect between two world leaders. Japan has just as big, if not a bigger, issue with abortion, where it is basically used as a form of contraception. As the article points out, and highball7 mentions, Abe brought up issues like disputed islands in the Pacific, which are of little or no concern to the Pope. While you may very well be right, which I find hard to conclude from a single photograph, that there was "genuine warmth" between Abe and the Pope, it is irrelevant, since the Pope now understands all Abe and Japan are interested in is material things, like the Senkakus, and not loftier goals. That and the fact that Japan has virtually no Catholics, makes the country basically a non factor to him.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"Francis will travel to South Korea on August 13-18."

Maybe his Holiness can give a speech about the concept of "forgiveness"?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Japanese Catholics are now estimated to number around 440,000 out of a population of some 127 million people"

wha..he did not try to convert him to the christianity first and utmost like they do everywhere and everyone else? Especially when meeting on his so called holy ground?

I thought the pontif, did not get involved with political things like the emperor...or the pope is the political wallet for global policing and global policies.

I give Japan credit for having the freedom to believe in thier own native religion, and still be successful in this christian world.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

These meetings of "heads" of state are not about religion or who WAS historically right or wrong. These meetings are about NOW and about the DIRECTION a country is moving - - -This meeting between Abe and Popw Francis is a signal that ABE is committed to peaceful co-existence & human rights. from what we can see in his domestic and foreign policy that has been a marked positive shift.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Jimizo :Previous popes have also granted an audience to people like Robert Mugabe. I don't think that was a signal of being 'committed to peaceful co-existence & human rights

Yes, indeed- and this Pope also met Barack Obama although the Pope's stance is categorically and diametrically opposed to Obama's on abortion. . . The Church's objection i n these meetings is to PROMOTE human rights ( from conception to natural death) non violence, gender equity, fair distribution of goods, programs to empower the indigent, and so on . . . .ABE has continued to speak at ALL international forums on his commitment to peaceful co-existence and non aggression. ERGO - it is a signal - - NOTE, also , the genuine warmth expressed between these 2 leaders . . . very very different from the cool reception Obama received.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Maybe his Holiness can give a speech about the concept of "forgiveness"?

If so, it would be very bad for those who have wronged Korea and have not sincerely atoned and asked for forgiveness. Christianity, having had some influence in Korea, enables the average Korean to understand this.

The arrogance contained in the suggestion that Pope Francis talk to the Koreans about forgiveness actually reveals that the party making the suggestion knows little about it from the Christian point of view.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Instead of politics, Abe should have focus on the topic of religious freedom. If your goal is to hit China anywhere you go, then you should focus on the common ground that the host nation is facing against China.

Case in point - Freedom to practice religion. Freedom of speech.

Telling the Vatican that China is having a beef with Japan on disputed islands and SCS is useless. The Vatican has zero power on territorial and military armament issues.

I don't know how many times I have to repeat this. I hope someone from Abe's cabinet read comments from here or other major Japanese language forums which I participate in. You are embarrassing yourself in the international scene. Please stop.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

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