Pope Francis: “Sports is a hymn to life”

Written by Kielce Gassy

On October 20, Pope Francis delivered a message to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sporto Stadio, saying, “For the past 100 years, you have created a beautiful race,” according to the same news agency. praised the achievements of

Sports as a safe space

Pope reflected on his childhood memories of playing soccer in Argentina. He described the sport as an experience with a “sense of camaraderie.” Because friends “know only the opponent on the field, never the enemy.”

He said sports provide life lessons as athletes learn from the elation of victory, the effort required to win, and from defeat.

Pope Francis used the example of Argentina’s Salesian priest Fr. Lorenzo Massa opened the doors of the parish chapel to the boys to play soccer.

The Pope also stressed the need to continue to have safe places to play sports.

He then explained how important it is for adults to “welcome children and young people wholeheartedly, listen to their dreams, and hope for a better future together with them.”

The power of unity in sports

Pope Francis said that sport brings people together, and even in the midst of conflict and violence, “we walk together feeling like we are part of one family, a family of nations.”

As an example, he highlighted the successes and inspiring stories that have come out of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Pope also pointed out that the newspaper’s role in reporting on the wins and losses of athletes is “the idea of ​​sport as a paean to life and a way of living.”

Pope Francis’ message warned against intolerance and called on everyone to use sport as a way to unite teams regardless of race, religion or class.

In conclusion, he encouraged the paper to promote credibility and inclusion and to “reject all logics of exclusion and violence.”