Pope Leo XIV urges Special Olympics athletes to live values of sport

Vatican City, 20 September 2026: Pope Leo XIV has encouraged athletes from the Special Olympics to live out the values of sport through lives marked by sharing, love and service.

The Pope made the appeal while receiving a delegation of Italian athletes who took part in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin.

“As you know, I too am very fond of sport,” Pope Leo XIV told the athletes, stressing its “great educational value” in teaching “noble and authentic values”.

He said participation in sport requires commitment, hard work, perseverance, loyalty, trust, openness, team spirit and courage. He also highlighted sport as a “universal language” that can transcend cultural, social, religious and physical differences and bring people together.

“Our world,” the Pope said, “is greatly in need of people who, like you, remind everyone of the true values of life; of men and women who, through their example, show that the path of sharing and love is the only path that truly leads to happiness and peace.”

Pope Leo XIV thanked the athletes, coaches, officials, assistants and collaborators for the joy and positive message they bring through their work, encouraging them to continue with enthusiasm.

He also entrusted the delegation to the intercession of Mary and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, whom he described as “a young sportsman like you” who, because of his love for Jesus, translated the values of sport into “a good and generous life, into a holy life”.

The Pope concluded the meeting by encouraging the athletes to live holy lives and imparted his Apostolic Blessing.

The Special Olympics promotes sports for people with intellectual disabilities and operates in more than 190 countries, involving millions of athletes worldwide.

Courtesy: Vatican News