Sua Santita'
Giovanni Paolo II
Di cuore imparte
l'Apostolica Benedizione a
Hatsumi Masaaki
Come pegno di grazie e favori celesti
Masaaki Hatsumi has become the
first budoka in history to be awarded an Apostolic Blessing by the Vatican.
The certificate, which arrived in Japan in May 2001, bears a painting of Pope
John Paul and states the following:
His Holiness
Giovanni Paolo II
Heartily Bestows
The Apostolic Blessing To
Hatsumi Masaaki
As a Token of Celestial Graces and Favors
The
blessing can be viewed as an affirmation of the good that Hatsumi-sensei
has brought to the world through his teachings and travels.
