Pope pays tribute to sports, warns against corruption

October 06, 2016

Pope Francis spoke about athletics in an audience with participants in a Vatican conference on faith and sports.

The heads of United Nations and the International Olympic Committee are among those taking part in the three-day conference, which began on October 5.

Paying tribute to athletics as a “human activity of great value,” Pope Francis called for greater inclusion of the poorest in athletics. He also criticized corruption:

The challenge is that of maintaining the honesty of sport, of protecting it from the manipulations and commercial abuse. It would be sad for sport and for humanity if people were unable to trust in the truth of sporting results … Don’t forget, none of us should forget, that beautiful word that describes true sport: amateur sport. I thank all of you, then, for your efforts to uproot every form of corruption and manipulation.

“When people strive to create a society that is fairer and transparent, they collaborate with the work of God,” he added. “As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, she is working in the world of sport to bring the joy of the Gospel, the inclusive and unconditional love of God for all human beings.”

 

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Further information:

• Udienza ai partecipanti al primo Incontro mondiale “Sport e Fede” (5 – 7 ottobre 2016), (Holy See Press Office)
• Presentation of the event “Sport at the Service of Humanity” (Holy See Press Office)