Pope Leo XIV says He Hopes a Sport "event may be a prophecy of peace" - “In a world suffering due to war...show that peace is possible"


 Pope Calls Mediterranean Games a "Prophecy of Peace" as Vatican Athletes Prepare to Compete

Ahead of the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, Pope Leo XIV expressed hopes that the international event will serve as a “prophecy of peace and fraternity.” Running from August 21 to September 3, the Games will gather roughly 4,000 athletes from 26 nations across Africa, Asia, and Europe to compete in 33 sports.

“This week the Mediterranean Games will begin in Taranto,” he said at the Angelus address on Sunday. “I hope that this sporting event may be a prophecy of peace and fraternity among the peoples of this region and of the whole world.”

“In a world suffering due to war and the climate emergency,” he said, “we have the chance to show that peace is possible and that the athletes who hail from ‘opposing factions’ are instead women and men animated by a genuine spirit of fraternity, beyond their place of birth or creed.”

Among the competitors are four athletes representing the Holy See’s sports association, Athletica Vaticana:

  • Padel (Men’s Doubles): Fabrizio Peloni & Tiziano Lucarelli

  • Épée Fencing: Daniele Fontana

  • Cycling: Emiliano Morbidelli

Addressing the faithful during his Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo emphasized that sports reach their highest purpose when raw competition yields to meaningful human connection.

To mark the opening of the Games, Archbishop Ciro Miniero of Taranto and Bishop Paul Tighe will celebrate Mass at the city’s cathedral, where they will welcome the "Cross of the Athletes." Serving as a spiritual beacon throughout the competition—a tradition originating at the 2012 London Olympics—the Cross highlights the power of athletics to bridge social, political, and religious divides.

Supporting this vision, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça noted that Athletica Vaticana's presence offers a powerful testament to global unity, reminding the world that sports can promote mutual respect and peace even in times of war and crisis.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-08/pope-leo-xiv-athletica-vaticana-mediterranean-games.html

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