The following is the telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to His Eminence Cardinal Oscar Cantoni, bishop of Como. The text will be read during this evening’s Eucharistic Celebration, to be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Oscar Cantoni in the vicariate of Bormio, with the athletes, volunteers and sports societies preparing for the 25th Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.

Telegram

TO HIS MOST REVEREND EMINENCE
CARDINAL OSCAR CANTONI
BISHOP OF COMO
COMO

POPE LEO XIV IS PLEASED TO SENT HIS CORDIAL GREETING AND WELL WISHES TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VICARIATE OF BORMIO, ENGAGED IN THE PREPARATION AND CONDUCT OF THE MILAN-CORTINA OLYMPICS. HE EXPRESSES HIS KEEN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPATION IN THIS SPORTING EVENT, AND HOPES IT WILL BE A FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THE AUTHENTIC VALUES OF SPORT: LOYALTY, RESPECT, TEAM SPIRIT AND SACRIFICE, AS WELL AS SOCIAL INCLUSION AND THE JOY OF ENCOUNTER. THE SUPREME PONTIFF ENCOURAGES THE PARISH COMMUNITIES OF THE AREA TO EMBRACE READILY THIS IMPORTANT EVENT, OFFERING GENEROUS CHRISTIAN WITNESS SO AS TO BE A SHINING SIGN OF THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST, WHO CALLS EVERYONE TO FRATERNITY. WITH THESE WISHES, THE HOLY FATHER ASSURES HIS PRAYERS AND WARMLY IMPARTS THE DESIRED APOSTOLIC BLESSING, AS A PLEDGE OF ABUNDANT HEAVENLY FAVOURS.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLILNESS