Meeting survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, which triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, visiting Pope Francis urged caution in Tokyo on Monday regarding decisions that could affect future generations, particularly concerning the use of energy.

The pope did not directly call for the abolition of nuclear power plants, but he did note that Japanese bishops have called for the "immediate abolition" of such plants since the triple meltdowns in Fukushima.

"Our age is tempted to make technological progress the measure of human progress," he said. "So it is important to pause and reflect on who we are ... and who we want to be.