Vatican City, Jul 9, 2022 / 05:30 am (CNA).
Pope Francis expressed his condolences at the assassination of Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, who was shot on Friday while giving a speech in the city of Nara.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the assassination of Mr. Shinzo Abe, former prime minister of Japan, and he offers heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the people of Japan,” the July 9 telegram, signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said.
“In the wake of this senseless act, he prays that Japanese society will be strengthened in its historic commitment to peace and nonviolence.”
Abe, 67, was giving a campaign speech on a street in the south-central Japanese city of Nara on Friday morning when he was assassinated.
Doctors said the politician suffered gun wounds to his neck and heart, according to the BBC. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 5:00 p.m. local time on July 8.
A 41-year-old suspect, now in police custody, admitted to using a homemade gun to shoot Abe.
Abe had finished his fourth three-year term as prime minister in September 2020.
In 2019, he welcomed Pope Francis to Japan on the second-ever papal visit to the East Asian country Nov. 23-26.
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The world passes on decency and respect. One wonders what the answer is. Clearly it is not secularism, cultural Marxism or any man made religion. Our only hope is Jesus Christ. To Know Him, as with anyone, we have to listen and ask.
Holy Scripture is unchanging and God’s light for us to follow.
1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Revelation 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Galatians 3:24-25 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Scripture interprets scripture. If we want salvation it is through God’s mercy and His way only. Read, learn and study for eternity is a long time.
Blessings of peace and discernment.
Life is sacred and a precious gift. Respectful farewell to former Japan Premier Shinzo Abe. Strength and courage to all his loved ones.