09 April 2026, the Vatican Apostolic Palace: Pope Leo XIV received the athletes from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics in a special audience at Clementine Hall. Pope Leo emphasized the cross here is the witness of the prayers, expectations, hopes; and so, to the fears and sufferings of women and men at all ages shared their sporting experience, from the London 2012 games to the Milan-Cortina games. The Pope praised the athletes’ efforts in promoting peace and sportsmanship, encouraging them to keep the human person at the center of sport.
Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for culture and education adds to the athletic embody values the world urgently needs especially in this time of division. Sports continues to unite, inspire and renew hope, helping us to look even more closely at the beauty, value and potential of a human person. It is a very concrete expression of what Pope Leo had said in his recent letter on sport, ‘life in abundance’ that sport shows us – ‘it is a composure in many ways that are values are important for humanity’- not only about physical achievement; more than that, it is about teamwork, resilience, discipline.
Francesca Lollobrigida, Winter Olympic gold medal said her most important role isn’t on the ice. She hopes her journey being a mom and skating athlete especially in balancing family and ambition inspires other women and the gen Z.
Egidio Marchese is a wheelchair curler champion on the world stage after left paralyzed after a car accident.
For many athletes, being at the Vatican is already a dream fulfilled.
Related Link:
Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Olympic Athletes to Vatican | EWTN News Nightly
