Historic Private Audience with Pope Francis at Vatican

Shin Koyamada—originally from Japan and currently based in Los Angeles—an actor celebrated for his starring role in The Last Samurai, as well as a producer, philanthropist, Chairman of Guardian Girls International (GGI) and the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), and CEO of the Shinca Groupwas granted the extraordinary honor of a Private Audience with Pope Francis at his residence in the Vatican City State. Joining him for this significant occasion was his wife, Nia Lyte, a native of Colombia, whose birthday coincidentally fell on the same day.

As Koyamada greeted Pope Francis, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “It was an honor meeting you. I deeply appreciate this private audience.”

Koyamada and his wife have dedicated their efforts at GGI to empowering women and combating violence against them through sports and martial arts. Over the last two years, the Guardian Girls program has expanded to 16 countries, providing hundreds of women, including many Christians, with personal safety training and the confidence to stand against violence.

Three Meaningful Gifts for Pope Francis
During the audience, Koyamada presented Pope Francis with three deeply symbolic gifts, each reflecting his mission, cultural heritage, and vision for global unity:

  1. Guardian Girls Uniform
    The first gift was an official Guardian Girls uniform t-shirt, personalized with Pope Francis’s name in both English and Japanese, along with the signatures of Koyamada and his wife. This gift represents GGI’s mission to advance world peace, safety, and the empowerment of women globally.

  2. A DVD Copy of Good Soil
    The second gift was a DVD of Good Soil, a film in which Koyamada portrayed a Japanese Christian samurai. The story holds personal significance for him, as it honors his ancestors from Kagoshima, Japan, who practiced the "Hidden Religion" (Kakure Kirishitan) during the Satsuma Domain era. 
    Koyamada shared with the Pope, “This film holds special meaning as it pays tribute to my family’s legacy and Japan’s Christian history, which began in 1549 when Saint Francis Xavier introduced Christianity to Japan. It is a great honor to present this story of faith to the Vatican.”

  3. Bizen Pottery Kabuto (Samurai Helmet)
    The third gift was a handmade kabuto (samurai helmet) crafted from Bizen Pottery, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered pottery traditions. The kabuto, engraved with Pope Francis’s name, is a symbol of protection and hope for a peaceful future. 
    “In Japanese culture, the miniature Kabuto symbolizes the safeguarding of peace, particularly for children,” Koyamada explained. “It serves as a powerful reminder of harmony, resilience, and the importance of fostering peace for future generations.”

A Memorable Conversation
After presenting the gifts, Koyamada, his wife, and an interpreter sat with Pope Francis for an in-depth 20-minute conversation on several topics. During their discussion, the couple also shared their inspiring personal story, including the miraculous birth of their 3-year-old son after overcoming significant challenges.

Adding to the significance of the day, the audience coincided with Nia Lyte’s birthday, making the occasion particularly memorable for the couple.