Tokyo (AsiaNews) A long article published by the prestigious Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun in its December 2 edition confirms the Japanese interest for John Paul II and the Church of Rome. A secular newspaper, Asahi sells more than six million copies per day, more than any other paper except for the popular and pro-governmental Yomiuri.
The well-researched article, which comes with two photos without commentary, was published in second page. It is a sign of how much Japan's elites know and appreciate the Catholic (Universal) Church for its unity and for the Pope's gestures.
These gestures are seen in political terms. For the article in fact, the Japanese see John Paul II's 104 international trips (for which he was nicknamed the Flying Pope) as part of a wider diplomatic scheme designed to bring unity to the world's peoples and favour dialogue among religions.
The Japanese daily points out that two great nations like Russia and China have still not been added to the Pope's list of trips accomplished. It stresses that the trip to Russia remains close to the Pope's heart to the extent that the he wants to achieve reconciliation with the Russian Orthodox Church. But can he do it given his current health?
Asahi's analyst indirectly expresses his support for the Pope's wish when, in his conclusion, he quotes the director of Krakow's 'John Paul II Centre' who said that "although it is difficult to predict whether the visit will take place once political considerations are out of the way, we should not forget that this Pope has never lost hope and has always had a constructive attitude overcoming obstacles that might be on his path".
The interest many Japanese have for the Universal Church should stimulate the local Catholic Church and give it the strength and courage to go beyond its own protected enclaves (made up of 516,000, mostly immigrant Catholics) and go into this society of 127 million to ferment it.