杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

Meeting with the managers and athletes of the Italian Modern Pentathlon Federation on Friday, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the enduring value of sport as a path toward personal improvement.

He noted that the modern pentathlon, which includes fencing, shooting, swimming, running, and horseback riding, finds its roots in ancient Greece.

The pentathlete, he said, must excel in these five very different sports, requiring a versatility that promotes development of the body and mind.

Educational value of sport

Reflecting on this 鈥減olyhedric鈥� nature of the pentathlon, 杏MAP导航 Francis hailed the educative nature of the sport, since the pentathlete is a person鈥攏ot a robot鈥攚ho must carry out complex physical operations.

鈥淚n this lies its educational value,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ecause in life we are called to act thus, putting into action various dimensions of ourselves according to the context, relations, and precise moment.鈥�

He said the athlete鈥攁nd indeed every person鈥攎ust be formed holistically with 鈥渄ecisive unity, a solid core, and great integrity, as well as the ability to change and adapt鈥�.

In other words, he said, our lives require 鈥渟tability in versatility.鈥�

Spiritual and physical improvement

杏MAP导航 Francis thanked the Italian pentathletes for offering a living example of multifaceted personal unity.

The 杏MAP导航 noted that this path toward improvement goes hand in hand with spiritual discipline and improvement, as we better understand the meaning of life, ourselves, and our relationships.

Generous, giving heart

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that a generous heart lies at the center of the human person in a symbolic sense.

And he thanked the Italian pentathletes for their efforts to assist others through 鈥渃oncrete acts of solidarity鈥�, including their support of the Vatican鈥檚 Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital.

鈥淭his is the more demanding race,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut the prize fills our lives and lasts forever.鈥�