Pope Francis says"They are small gestures but they are seeds, they are seeds of peace, they are capable of changing the world..." to Soccer Match for Peace



 GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE THIRD EDITION OF THE MATCH FOR PEACE
Paul VI Hall
Monday, November 14, 2022
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I thank all of you who come from different places, and distant places, to play a game: a game, yes, but it's a game for peace!, this is important.
Do you think that the biggest expenses in the world today are in the arms industry. Because we always think of making wars to destroy. You have taken your time to come and make the gratuitousness of peace. And peace goes on like this, with gestures like these: gestures of closeness, gestures of friendship, gestures of the outstretched hand, always, not with the stone in hand to throw it away. Thank you for this. They are small gestures but they are seeds, they are seeds of peace, they are capable of changing the world, because they are seeds of peace.
Thank you, thank you for what you are doing, for today's match, thank you for saying: "We want peace", in a world that is always looking for war and destruction. Thank you!
And thank you for telling us that a rag ball is more important, with the free game, than the conquest of a territory with wars, that's not right. Thanks for your testimony.
I want to bless all of you, your families, your heart: may it be a free heart, a heart that goes forward in building friendship. The world needs friendship, gratuity.
[blessing]
And happy birthday to you on your fourth child! How old are you? [the father replies: 32]. Thirty-two years old and four children, it's a beautiful production! To the Italians I say: there is a need for children in Italy, we lack children! Thank you.

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