This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience a delegation of the Special Olympics sports association.

The following is the greeting addressed by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

Greeting of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!

Good morning to you all,

I am very pleased to meet you this morning and to share with you, at this moment, the joy of the sporting events you have experienced. As you know, I too am very fond of sport, and I am convinced of its great educational value, because it instils noble and authentic values in people; furthermore, it offers the opportunity to bear witness to these values in both competitive and amateur sport, and above all in the lives of the athletes themselves.

Taking part in sport means committing oneself seriously and with hard work, and then sharing the fruits of one’s perseverance with loyalty, trust, openness, team spirit and courage. You do all this, and you demonstrate its beauty in a truly special way to those who take part in and watch the competitions, and to those who know you and meet you.

Pope Francis, while receiving a group of athletes from Special Olympics, said that “sport is one of the universal languages that overcomes cultural, social, religious and physical differences, and that manages to unite people, making them participants in the same game and, together, protagonists of victory and defeat” (13 October 2017), and entrusted this witness to you in a special way.

Today I am doing the same, because our world is in such need of people who, like you, remind everyone of the true values of life; of men and women who show by their example that the path of sharing and love is the only one that truly leads to happiness and peace.

I therefore 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 and support staff – to continue your work with enthusiasm.

My dear friends, I entrust you to the intercession of Mary and of Saint Piergiorgio Frassati, a young sportsman like yourselves who, enamoured with Jesus, together with many friends, was able to translate the values of sport into a good and generous life, into a holy life. I bless you with all my heart, along with your families and all those dear to you. Thank you!