As the Olympic flame continued its journey toward the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Games, Pope Leo XIV shared his blessing, welcoming the event as an opportunity to promote peace, solidarity, and encounter through sport.
Ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games in Milan today, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, sent a telegram to the Diocese of Como, where some of the Olympic competitions will be held, as well as where a Olympic Village is located, and another to Archbishop Mario Delpini of Milan, as that city welcomed the “Cross of Athletes.” The telegram said Pope Leo was sending warm wishes and an apostolic blessing to the Catholic community in Como.
“He expresses his deep appreciation for their fervent cooperation in this sporting event and hopes that it will be an opportunity to promote the authentic values of sport: loyalty, respect, team spirit and sacrifice, as well as social inclusion and the joy of encounter,” the telegram said in Italian.
To read more about the pope’s messages as well as the Olympic Cross, click here.