杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

As Rome prepares to host the European Aquatics Championships from 11-21 August, 杏MAP导航 Francis reiterated that sports helps cultivate human friendship and fraternity, amidst winds of war blowing on Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

Sports needed now more than ever

He made these remarks on Monday, while meeting a delegation of the European Swimming League in the Vatican, ahead of the sporting event in which some 11,000 athletes from 52 countries are expected to take part in over 500 competitions.

During the audience, he read a message to the athletes welcoming the European Championships. He said, 鈥渆very great sporting event is a special moment when young people from different countries can encounter and interact with one another, and that is a wonderful sign of hope for the future of our human family."

Desire for a world of peace

鈥淚t is also appropriate," he noted, "because Rome is historically a universal city, open to the world, the city from which the Church spreads everywhere the Gospel of fraternity."

While remarking that the war in Ukraine casts its shadow on the event, the 杏MAP导航 expressed hope 鈥渢hat this will make us all the more committed to showing our desire for a world of peace, a world without wars, without hatred between peoples, without nuclear threats."

Friendship and fraternity

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis said he prays that the European Championships in Rome will be for all participants 鈥渁 serene and joyful experience of friendship and fraternity鈥� and imparted his blessing on all participants.