Pope Leo issues letter on value of sport as Olympics begin

Ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games in northern Italy, Pope Leo XIV issues the letter 9;Life in Abundance9; on the value of sport.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics

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.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF POPE LEO9;S LETTER ON SPORT HERE

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.

Sport as instrument of peace

“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.’'

'On the occasion of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games,' he continues, '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.”

Church called to offer pastoral care

Reflecting on sport, the Pope also reminds the Church to be pastorally present in the realm of sport and to offer accompaniment, discernment, and hope, citing Athletica Vaticana, created in 2018 as the official team of the Holy See and under the guidance of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, as an initiative which bears witness to 'how sport can also be experienced as an ecclesial service.'

“In this way,' he encourages, 'sport can truly become a school of life, where all can learn that abundance does not come from victory at any cost, but from sharing, from respecting others, and from the joy of walking together.”

Sport serves common good and personal development

“The Church,' the Pope observes, 'is called to be close to the world of sport when it is played professionally, as elite competition, or as an opportunity for success or media exposure, but also through particular concern for grassroots sport, which often lacks resources but is rich in relationships.”

In the reflection, Pope Leo invites the Church to be concretely present and to offer accompaniment, discernment, and hope. In this way, he says, sport can truly become a school of life, teaching that abundance does not come from victory at any cost, but from sharing, respecting others, and the joy of journeying together.

He also calls 'for liberating sport from reductive mentalities that would transform it into mere spectacle or product.'

Throughout the letter, Pope Leo warns against the exploitation of sport for political or financial gain, urging instead that it remain faithful to its mission of serving personal development and the common good.

Deborah Castellano Lubov
Source: vaticannews.va/en