The following is the telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father Leo XIV by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Mario Delpini of Milan, on the occasion of the celebration welcoming the Olympic Cross of Athletes to the archdiocese of Milan, for the opening of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games:

Telegram

TO HIS MOST REVEREND EXCELLENCY
ARCHBISHOP MARIO DELPINI
OF MILAN
MILAN

POPE LEO XIV WARMLY GREETS THOSE WHO ARE TAKING PART IN THE WELCOME CELEBRATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAN BABILA TO WELCOME THE OLYMPIC CROSS OF ATHLETES AT THE OPENING OF THE MILAN-CORTINA OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES. HE HOPES THAT THIS IMPORTANT EVENT WILL INSPIRE SENTIMENTS OF FRIENDSHIP AND FRATERNITY, STRENGTHENING AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF SPORT IN THE SERVICE OF THE INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN PERSON. THE HOLY FATHER GIVES THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYERS THAT THESE DAYS OF HEALTHY COMPETITION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN CULTURES AND PEOPLES, PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE, SOLIDARITY AND PEACE. WITH THESE WISHES, THE SUPREME PONTIFF GLADLY SENDS THE DESIRED APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF CONSTANT DIVINE ASSISTANCE.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS