New Italian book examines Vatican view of sports

(April 06, 2011) At the launch of a new book entitled “Sport in the Vatican”, the head of a new Vatican office for sport spoke about the importance that Pope John Paul II attached to athletics. The Polish Pontiff would almost deem sport as a sign of the times, said Fr. Kevin Lixey, whose office works within Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Laity. The priest spoke on Monday at the presentation of the new Italian-language book by Stefano and Roberto Calvigioni, which examines the Church’s attitude toward sports. Fr. Lixey said the office of Church and Sport looks at intellectual issues, such as what is sport, and how does it affect society. At the same time, it meets with top level athletes and learns what special challenges they face in their spiritual life, the priest added.