Pope: Sport is important for humanity, respect Olympic truce

Hours ahead of the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games, the Vatican released Pope Leo XIV’s letter, Life in Abundance, on the value of sport.

The Pope begins the letter by expressing that on the occasion of the XXV Winter Olympic Games, 6–22 February, and the XIV Paralympic Games, 6–15 March, he wished to greet and extend his good wishes to those directly involved, while also offering everyone a reflection.

In the text, the Holy Father praises sport and reflects on the many ways it fosters human fraternity and helps individuals pursue what is good and holy.

Pope Leo recalls that during past Olympic Games, his predecessors emphasized the important role sport can play for the good of humanity, particularly in promoting peace.

He reiterates his appreciation that the Olympic Truce has been proposed again in recent years by the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations General Assembly.

“In a world thirsting for peace," Pope Leo says, "we need tools that can put an ‘end to the abuse of power, displays of force and indifference to the rule of law.’" Decrying that before our eyes is a culture of death, he insists "that aggression, violence and war are always a defeat for humanity.”

"On the occasion of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games," the Pope reaffirms, "I wholeheartedly encourage all nations to rediscover and respect this instrument of hope that is the Olympic Truce, a symbol and promise of a reconciled world.”