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One of Asia’s most senior churchmen has told Crux Now he expects the coming year to be one in which the faithful and the world will really get to know Pope Leo XIV. The 67-year-old Cardinal Isao Kikuchi is the Archbishop of Tokyo. Kikuchi also serves as general secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences – the Asian bishops’ umbrella conference – and as president of Caritas Internationalis. He spoke with Crux Now on occasion of the first anniversary of Leo XIV’s election to the papacy, to share his impressions of the year that was and his outlook on what is to come. “The very first words Leo addressed to the faithful as our shepherd were the call: ‘Peace be with you all’,” Kikuchi recalled. He noted how the peace Leo began to proclaim as pope and continues to proclaim is, in Leo’s own words, “the peace of the risen Christ, a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.” “Through this first appeal,” Kikuchi said, “Pope Leo XIV made it clear that, in today’s increasingly troubled world, making peace must be the Church’s highest priority in her mission.” Kikuchi told Crux Now this conviction has only become “more evident in his public statements.” “Especially after the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran,” Kikuchi said, “he began to issue increasingly clear and strong messages even sometimes in English.” Kikuchi noted the “profound instability” the international community has been experiencing. “The strategic and political decisions of political leaders, based on international political relationships and economical reasonings are completely different from our choices and decisions based on faith values,” Kikuchi said. “When these are confused with one another and mixed up,” he said, “mutual understanding between politicians and religious becomes impossible.” “At a time when tensions continue to rise and uncertainty about the future deepens, as violence against life spreads throughout the world,” Kikuchi said, “we too wish to continue together with the Holy Father calling for ethical choices rooted on the Gospel.” “What we seek to protect is life, which is a gift from God,” he said, and the dignity of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God.” Kikuchi also spoke of Leo’s efforts to foster peace in the Church. “He has been trying to listen to all sides in the Church,” Kikuchi said, “not making any drastic move.” Kikuchi said Leo “is really ready to listen to the voices of all,” and noted that Leo has been very careful and reserved regarding his personal opinions, which – Kikuchi noted – is a marked difference between Leo and his immediate predecessor. “Pope Francis was clear for this,” Kikuchi said. “We could know where he stood,” he continued, “but real unity cannot be achieved by not taking any specific stands.” “I expect Holy Father to make us see where he really stands,” Kikuchi told Crux Now, “and then, we may be able to begin dialoguing with people who have different opinions within the Church.”

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