Bernardo left Japan for
Portuguese India with Xavier in 1551, together with another Japanese person, Mathias, born in
Yamaguchi. They arrived in India in February 1552. Bernardo, with Brother Andreas Fernandes, then left for
Portugal, where he arrived in 1553, with a letter written by Francis Xavier in Goa, dated April 8, 1552. The objective was for Bernardo "to see the Christian religion in all its majesty", so that he could share his experience back in Japan. In his letter, Xavier also commented that "Japanese intellect [was] as sharp and sensible as any in the world". Bernardo is thought to have been the first Japanese person to set foot on European soil. In Portugal, Bernardo applied to and entered the
Society of Jesus. He also studied at the
College of Coimbra. After two years, Bernardo left to visit
Rome on July 17, 1554, going through
Spain to
Barcelona, to take a ship to
Naples. He was present in Rome during a period of 10 months. He met with
Loyola and probably attended the election of
Pope Marcellus II. Bernardo was highly valued, and gave great hope to the Papacy about the prospects of
Catholicism in Japan. Bernardo left Rome on October 23, 1555, and took a ship in
Genoa. Bernardo died, however, upon his return to Portugal in February 1557. ==See also==