Osaka: In celebration of the Holy See's National Day at the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, delivered a heartfelt message underscoring the timeless value of beauty and hope as powerful counterweights to modern-day cynicism and fear. Speaking on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Parolin conveyed the Holy Father’s blessings to the people of Japan, wishing them peace, prosperity, and spiritual wellbeing.
In a message directed to Japan’s Minister for the World Expo, Cardinal Parolin highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between the Holy See and Japan, a relationship that spans nearly 470 years, dating back to the first papal audience granted to a Japanese Catholic in 1555. He also commemorated 80 years of official diplomatic relations, celebrating the shared commitment to humanitarian values through education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Despite differing religious and cultural traditions, Cardinal Parolin noted, both Japan and the Vatican have found common ground in their pursuit of peace, harmony, and human dignity. He pointed in particular to their mutual efforts to curb the unregulated spread of weapons and remembered the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a solemn reminder of the consequences of global conflict.
The Holy See Pavilion at Expo 2025 will focus on two powerful themes: beauty and hope. Cardinal Parolin emphasized that beauty serves as a universal language, capable of uniting people across borders and ideologies. “To value beauty,” he said, “is to acknowledge that there is something meaningful and sacred in the world that must be nurtured and preserved.”
He went on to describe beauty not only as artistic or aesthetic, but also social expressed in acts of solidarity, volunteering, forgiveness, and peacemaking. These often quiet, uncelebrated gestures, he added, carry the power to mend wounds and heal divisions in today’s fractured global landscape. “Beauty becomes an antidote to despair,” he stated, “and a seed of renewal amid darkness.”
Turning to the theme of hope, Cardinal Parolin described it as more than individual optimism it is a communal force, deeply rooted in faith and trust in divine love. In a world increasingly burdened by violence, anxiety, and uncertainty, he said, hope empowers people to build bridges, engage in dialogue, and work tirelessly for peace.
“Hope,” he noted, “is not a retreat from reality, but a call to action both at the grassroots level and in the international arena.” In this spirit, the Holy See calls upon all peoples to reject isolationism and fear, and instead commit to constructive collaboration for the common good.
Cardinal Parolin concluded by honoring those “silent and hidden” individuals who dedicate their lives to teaching, serving the poor, reconciling enemies, and inspiring peace through daily acts of compassion. These unsung heroes, he said, keep the breath of beauty and hope alive in the world lighting paths forward where others see only shadows.
As the Expo 2025 draws near, the Holy See’s message to Japan and the world is clear: in the face of fear and disillusionment, it is beauty and hope that continue to renew the human spirit and unite humanity in its shared longing for peace.