Sport is a valuable tool for integral human development: Pope

Vatican City, 23 Nov 2013: The link between the Church and the sport is a beautiful reality that is established over time, because the ecclesial community sees in the sport a valuable tool for the integral development of the human person. Pope Francis made these comments on Saturday while speaking to the members of the European Olympic committee in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. He also expressed his appreciation to those who are committed to promote , through sport, people development and social brotherhood.

The sport, said the Pope, stimulates a healthy overcoming of oneself and one's self-interests, trains the spirit of sacrifice and promotes fairness in interpersonal relationships , friendship, and respect for the rules. This is possible because sport is a universal language which exceeds the borders, languages, races, religions and ideologies. It has the ability to bring people together, fostering dialogue and welcome, observed Pope Francis.

The Pontiff encouraged institutions and organizations offering, especially to the younger generations, sports training routes to peace, sharing and coexistence among peoples. It is typical of sport to unite, not divide, said Pope Francis, adding ‘the five intertwined rings, symbol and flag of the Olympic Games, are to represent the spirit of brotherhood that should characterize the event and the Olympic sports competition in general.

When the sport is considered only according to economic parameters or to achieve victory at all costs, you run the risk of reducing the athletes to mere merchandise for profit, observed Pope Francis. If they do so, the athletes lose the true meaning of their activities, the joy of playing that attracted them, and that has led them to make so many sacrifices and become champions. The sport is harmony, said the Pope, but if it prevails the excessive pursuit of money and success this harmony is broken.

Pope Francis exhorted the Olympic officials to foster the educational function of sport. We are all aware of the great need to train athletes motivated by righteousness, moral rigor and a keen sense of responsibility, concluded the Pope.Source: VR Sedoc