Pope urges prayer for values of sports

In the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video published on May 28, which is prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Pope recognises the great benefits but also the inherent challenges in the world of sport, and prays that sporting events may promote peace and fraternity.

He thanks the Lord for “the gift of sport, for those who glorify God through the exercise of their bodies, for the friendships born on the field, and the joy of playing as a team”.

Pope Leo recalls how the Lord teaches people “that in life, as in the game, no one is saved alone”.

The Holy Father insists that people “need others to grow, to learn respect, to overcome our limits and to celebrate together the victories we achieve”.

Pope Leo goes on to pray that sport “may always be a school of fraternity, not of empty rivalry, a space of encounter, not exclusion, a path of peace, not violence”.

“May those who play, train or cheer,” the Pope says, “discover in sport a universal language that brings cultures together, unites peoples and sows respect, solidarity and personal growth.”

He also prays that every sport “become a parable of life lived with you, working with joy and effort, living with humility in defeat and with gratitude in the victory”.

“May your Spirit,” the Holy Father concludes, “never be lacking in us, making us one team, united with you [the Lord] to build communion and fraternity in history.”

The FIFA World Cup football tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FULL STORY

Pope’s June prayer intention: ‘for the values of sports’ (By Deborah Castellano Lubov/Vatican News)