Crown Prince Akishino attended a memorial mass for Pope Francis on Sunday in Tokyo. He represented Emperor Naruhito at the service held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Bunkyo Ward.
The Apostolic Nunciature to Japan hosted the mass, which drew around 1,000 attendees. Among them was U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, along with other dignitaries and members of the public.
Inside the cathedral, organizers displayed a portrait of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at 88. A floral wreath from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako stood prominently near the altar.
After the mass ended, Crown Prince Akishino approached the flower stand. He respectfully placed a white carnation on it and bowed deeply in prayer.
Crown Prince Akishino’s connection to the Vatican runs deep. During a goodwill visit to Rome in 2016, he and Crown Princess Kiko visited the Vatican. At that time, they paid a courtesy call on Pope Francis, strengthening ties between Japan and the Holy See.
Furthermore, in 2019, Emperor Naruhito met Pope Francis at the Imperial Palace during the pope’s historic visit to Japan. That encounter highlighted the strong relationship between Japan’s imperial family and the Vatican.
Earlier this week, the emperor and empress expressed their sorrow more formally. On Wednesday, they sent Koro Bessho, their grand chamberlain, to the Apostolic Nunciature in Tokyo to deliver condolences.
On the same day, Emperor Naruhito also sent a telegram to Cardinal Kevin Farrell. In the message, he conveyed sympathies from himself, Empress Masako, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, and Empress Emerita Michiko.
Clearly, Crown Prince Akishino and the imperial family continue to show deep respect toward global religious leaders. Their gestures reflect Japan’s enduring diplomatic and spiritual ties with the Vatican.
Through his presence, Crown Prince Akishino honored both tradition and compassion, paying tribute to a remarkable global figure.
