Meeting with Victims of the Atomic Bomb (26 February1981)

On 26 February 1981, the Holy Father met with victims of the atomic bomb at the Hill of Mercy Hospital, whom he assured of his prayers.

My dear friends, 

1. I could not leave the city of Nagasaki without coming to Megumi No Oka, this hill of mercy and grace. Twice during my stay in Hiroshima I spoke about the threat of nuclear weapons to the future of humanity, first at the Peace Memorial Garden and then to men and women of science and culture. It is with great emotion that I greet today all those who still carry in their bodies the signs of the destruction that was brought upon them on the day of that unforgettable explosion. What you suffer has also inflicted a wound in the heart of every human being on earth . Your life here today is the most convincing appeal that could be made to all men of good will, the most convincing appeal against war and for peace. The words of the Mayor of Hiroshima come to mind at this moment two years after the first nuclear explosion: “Those who have experienced and fully realized the suffering and sin that is war unconditionally denounce war as the final agony , and desire peace with the greatest passion." We are all indebted to you because you are the living and constant call for peace. 

2. I would also like to say a special word of appreciation to the doctors, nurses and all others who dedicate themselves to offering you the best possible care. I assure them of my esteem and encourage them to continue their admirable work of help and care. A special greeting also goes to the Sisters of this institution, who are so dedicated to this work of Christian mercy. With gratitude I evoke the memory of the Founder of this house Sister Magdalena Esumi, who ruled it from its inception until the moment the Lord called her to himself a few months ago. In this daily service of love the nuns make us experience first-hand the love of Christ, the Son of God, who showed a special love towards the suffering, the sick and the infirm. 

3. With the assurance of my prayers, I leave you all these words of Christ: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy" ( Mt 5.7 ). In my encyclical on the mercy of God, I emphasized the profound meaning of every act of mercy where I wrote: "An act of merciful love is truly such only when we are profoundly convinced at the same moment in which we perform it that we are receiving mercy from those who accept it from us” (John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia , 14). May this thought be a source of inspiration for all of you at Megumi No Oka for your work and your life, and may it be the force that builds and maintains such a beautiful unity to behold. God bless you all. 

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