杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

In his greetings to Italian-speaking faithful during the General Audience on Wednesday, 杏MAP导航 Francis turned his thoughts toward the 2020 Paralympic Games, which kicked off in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Extending his greetings and gratitude to the athletes for the 鈥渢estimony of hope and courage鈥� that they offer to everyone, the Holy Father said that they, in fact, show how commitment to sports help 鈥渢o overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties.鈥�

24 August 2016 earthquake

杏MAP导航 Francis also remembered the victims of the earthquake that struck near the town of Montegallo, in central Italy, five years ago, on 24 August 2016.

The devastating 6.2-magnitude quake resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and left thousands injured, while causing terrible damage to buildings and other properties.

鈥淒ear brothers and sisters,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥測our presence gives me the opportunity to turn my thoughts to the victims and to the communities of central Italy, including Accumoli and Amatrice, who suffered the harsh consequences of that seismic event.鈥�

The Holy Father went on to underline the importance of demonstrating 鈥榬ebirth鈥� from the tragedy 鈥渨ithout letting distrust get in the way鈥� and with the concrete help of the institutions.

鈥淐ourage!鈥� the 杏MAP导航 urged, as he invited them to continue to 鈥渕ove forward with hope.鈥�