POPE FRANCIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES AS A SYMBOL OF PEACE AND FRATERNITY

In a recent message addressed to Mgr Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, Pope Francis highlighted the crucial importance of the Olympic Games as a vector of world peace and fraternity. The Holy Father reiterated that the Olympic Games, by their very nature, are intended to promote peace and not war, highlighting the five intertwined rings as a symbol of the spirit of brotherhood that should permeate this event and any sporting competition.

In these troubled times, when world peace is under serious threat, Pope Francis expressed his fervent hope that the upcoming Olympic Games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, will catalyze peace. According to the RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY (RECONA) correspondent based in the Vatican, the sovereign pontiff recalled the ancient tradition of the Olympic truce, when conflicts stopped to allow the games to be held. He aspires that this tradition will be respected today, providing a valuable opportunity to resolve conflicts and restore harmony.

Pope Francis sees the Olympic Games as an exceptional opportunity for people, even the most hostile, to meet. He hopes that this event will help break down prejudices, and promote esteem and friendship where there is contempt and hatred. The Holy Father also expressed his hope that the Olympic Games would allow France to strengthen national unity and overcome internal differences and opposition.

Pope Francis also sent a special message to Catholics in France, encouraging them to open the doors of their hearts and bear witness to the joy of Christ through the generous welcome of all. He stressed that sport is a universal language that transcends borders, languages, races, nationalities, and religions. According to him, sport has the power to unite people, promote dialogue and mutual acceptance, and encourage self-improvement.

The pontiff concluded by emphasizing the fundamental values of sport: the spirit of sacrifice, loyalty in interpersonal relationships, recognition of one’s limits, and appreciation of others. For Pope Francis, these values are essential to building a more harmonious and peaceful world.

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Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu

RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY (RECONA) a été créé par le Révérend Père George Nwachukwu, le directeur de la communication de RECOWA-CERAO. Il s'agit d'une agence de presse catholique internationale uniquement au service de l'Église dans la sous-région ouest-africaine. Ce moyen médiatique attaché au bureau de RECOWACERAO a pour objectif de raconter l'histoire de l'Afrique en fournissant une couverture médiatique de tous les événements pertinents sur le continent africain, en donnant de la visibilité à la Conférence épiscopale ouest-africaine, aux activités de l'Église à travers l'Afrique, à la Cité du Vatican et le monde en général.

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