NHK has learned that Pope Francis will likely issue a message calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons during his planned visit to the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

The Vatican announced last month that he will travel to the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during his 4-day trip to Japan. His visit starts on November 23.

Pope will visit Nagasaki on November 24.

A source said arrangements are underway for him to deliver the message from a park that sits at the hypocenter, or ground zero, of the 1945 atomic bombing.

Pope Francis is also scheduled to visit sites related to the 26 martyrs, whom Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi had executed.

The Pope will hold a mass in the city as well. About 37,000 people are expected to attend.

NHK