Pope Francis reveals desire to visit Japan next year-end

ROME — Pope Francis has expressed his desire to visit Japan around the end of next year, and make a trip to Nagasaki and Hiroshima, it has been revealed by a Japanese Catholic Church source.

The Pope conveyed his intention to Cardinal Manyo Maeda, who is the Archbishop of Osaka, when granting the cardinal an audience on Monday, according to the source.

The Pope said in September that he intends to visit Japan next year, although he did not mention a specific time frame.

If realized, it will be the first papal visit to Japan since that by John Paul II in 1981.

The Pope came from the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, which propagates the faith in European countries and many other parts of the world.

He has actively promoted Asian diplomacy, such as by making a landmark deal with China in September over the authority to appoint bishops. The Vatican has not had diplomatic ties with China.

The Pope is said to have an affinity for Japan because he has wished to work in Japan since he was young.