Pope Leo XIV says "sport is one of those universal languages ​​that overcomes cultural, social, religious and physical differences, and manages to unite people" to Special Olympics Athletes FULL TEXT

Pope Leo XIV received this morning in the Vatican the Italian athletes from the Special Olympics who took part in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. The Special Olympics is an international organization that promotes sports for people with intellectual disabilities. It was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. It operates in more than 190 countries and involves around 5 million athletes worldwide.

GREETING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO A DELEGATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Clementine Hall on Saturday, September 19, 2026
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Good morning everyone ,

I'm very pleased to meet you this morning, to share with you, at this moment, the joy of the sporting events you've experienced. As you know, I also love sport, and I'm convinced of its great educational value, as it teaches people noble and authentic values. It also offers the opportunity to demonstrate these values ​​in competitive and amateur activity, and above all in the lives of athletes.

Playing sports means committing yourself seriously and with effort, and then sharing the fruits of your perseverance with loyalty, trust, openness, team spirit, and courage. You do all this, and you showcase its beauty in a truly special way, to those who participate and watch your competitions and to those who know and encounter you.

Pope Francis , receiving a group of Special Olympics athletes , said that "sport is one of those universal languages ​​that overcomes cultural, social, religious and physical differences, and manages to unite people, making them participants in the same game and protagonists together of victories and defeats" ( 13 October 2017 ), and he entrusted you in particular with this testimony.

Today I do it too, because our world desperately needs people like you who remind everyone of life's true values; men and women who show by example that the path of sharing and love is the only one that truly leads to happiness and peace.

For this I thank you for your presence, for the genuine joy you bring, for the positive message you embody, and I encourage you – athletes, coaches, managers, assistants, collaborators – to continue your work with enthusiasm.

Dearest ones, I entrust you to the intercession of Mary and Saint Piergiorgio Frassati, a young athlete like you who, in love with Jesus, along with many friends, was able to translate the values ​​of sport into a good and generous life, a holy life. I heartily bless you, and with you, your families and all your loved ones. Thank you!