Luis Sotelo was a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary born in Seville in 1574. After studying at the University of Salamanca, he served in the Philippines, where he acquired proficiency in the Japanese language. He played a significant role in diplomatic and religious efforts, acting as a translator for a Japanese embassy traveling to Spain. Although the Pope appointed him as a bishop for Japan, internal rivalries prevented his formal consecration. He eventually returned to Japan, where he was martyred in 1624.
Life and mission
Following his studies, Sotelo worked in Manila and helped establish a church in Edo. He facilitated the journey of the Japanese embassy to Rome to meet the Pope. Despite his high appointment, he faced imprisonment by Spanish officials in Manila. He later returned to Japan in 1622, where he ultimately faced death by burning in Ōmura.
Veneration
The Catholic Church recognizes him as a blessed martyr. He is commemorated on August 25, the anniversary of his death in Shimabara. His legacy is tied to the early missionary efforts in East Asia and the diplomatic links between Japan and Europe during the early 17th century.