Lenten campaign 2026
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“Oh good, my emotional support Olympics are beginning soon,” read a funny meme making the rounds.
Do you find this sentiment relatable? The Olympics are beloved around the world, bringing together the nations in an all-too-rare display of unity and peace.
The Olympics — and sports in general — have a special power to bring people together. Pope Leo XIV is encouraging the world to carry this unity beyond the Olympics.
In his recent letter, Life in Abundance, on the value of sport, Pope Leo wrote about how the Olympic Games have promoted peace since ancient times. In ancient Greece, all states would agree to a temporary truce surrounding the Olympic Games.
He wrote:
In a world thirsting for peace, we need tools that can put an “end to the abuse of power, displays of force and indifference to the rule of law.” On the occasion of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, I wholeheartedly encourage all Nations to rediscover and respect this instrument of hope that is the Olympic Truce, a symbol and promise of a reconciled world.
Sports: A force for good
Pope Leo XIV is himself an athlete who regularly swims and plays tennis. He often speaks about the physical and spiritual benefits of sports, and his new letter is a powerful distillation of his knowledge.
If you’re at all interested in sports — as an athlete, a fan, or a sports parent schlepping your littles to practice — don’t miss Pope Leo’s letter. He reminds us that sports can be a force for good in this world, in the following ways:
1Sports can help us grow in virtue
Many Christian authors use athletic imagery as a metaphor for describing the dynamics of the spiritual life…
Sport offers valuable lessons that extend beyond the playing field. It teaches us that we can strive for the highest level without denying our own fragility; that we can win without humiliating others; and that we can lose without being defeated as individuals.
2Sports foster unity
Sporting competitions can also play an important role in fostering unity among people… there is usually an opportunity to meet and get to know one another…
Success comes from discipline, perseverance and loyalty… Fair competition thus safeguards a deeply human and communal dimension. It does not divide, but brings people together; it does not focus solely on the result, but values the journey; it does not idolize performance, but recognizes the dignity of those who play.
3Sports can bring spiritual growth and must be made accessible
Because sport is a source of joy and promotes personal development and social relationships, it should be accessible to all who wish to participate.
In some societies that consider themselves advanced, where sports are organized according to the principle of “pay to play,” children from poorer families and communities are excluded because they cannot afford the participation fees.
In other societies, girls and women are not allowed to participate in sports. Sometimes, in religious formation, especially of women, there is a mistrust and fear of physical activity and sport.
Therefore, we must strive to make sport accessible to everyone. This is very important for human development.
Besides these positive lessons from playing sports, Pope Leo warns against ways that sports can be distorted into something negative. Polarization, division, dishonesty, and narcissism are among the dangers he warns against. You can see his full letter here and enjoy all his wisdom about the world of sports.
